Remarks on the structure and function of the mammæ, and on mammitis in the cow : read before the members of the Edinburgh Veterinary Medical Association / by R.D. Brotherton.

  • Brotherton, R. D.
Date:
1843
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Remarks on the structure and function of the mammæ, and on mammitis in the cow : read before the members of the Edinburgh Veterinary Medical Association / by R.D. Brotherton. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    surface, to prevent the eftects of friction to which it is ex- posed from suckling or milking. Its dependent portion is contracted, and each teat is perforated by an opening that communicates with the interior of the gland. Some few muscular fibres also are found in its substance, which, to- gether with a kind of valvular apparatus in its internal part, formed by the cuticle being continued up the sides of the perforation and then terminating in an abrupt or corru- gated manner, where the contraction ceases, will assist in preventing the column of milk escaping spontaneously, which we sometimes have witnessed in large and full udders, the weight of the fluid overcoming this provision. Thus we perceive by what a simple and easily-formed con- trivance nature nlitiages to overcome what would to us be great obstacles, and what perhaps would have puzzled some of our best mechanics to have discovered—so simple, yet so effectual in its design. Proceeding inwardly, and immediately under the skin, we find an intervening cellular tissue, uniting loosely but firmly the skin to an expansion of elastic fascia from the superficialis abdominis, by which the gland is enveloped, rendering it stronger and more compact. This fascia and cellular membrane also detach several portions into the in- terior of the glandular structure for the same purpose. In this glandular structure, as in other secerning organs, we find arteries, veins, nerves, absorbents, excretory ducts, a small portion of fatty matter, and cellular tissue ; but of the inti- mate arrangement and disposition of these various tissues but little is as yet known. The udder being a conglomerate gland is fonned of numerous lobules united together by cel- lular membrane. Each of these lobuli is priucipilly con- stituted of arteries, veins, and ducts, and though almost too small for demonstration, yet we infer that each lobule is a small gland that performs as perfect a secretion as the whole accumulated glandular mass. The minute structure and disposition of these lobuli has given rise to as much ana-
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