Arrangement of the Tissues by Which the Cow's Udder Is Suspended '

The broken-down, pendulous udder is a defect that occurs frequently among high-producing dairy cows. There are a number of different types of broken-down udders. Some become detached from the body wall, so that the hand can be inserted between the abdomen and the upper surface of the front quarters. Some become elongated vertically like a sack and have a tendency to swing from side to side as the cow walks. In some the median support appears to undergo a relaxation, permitting the floor of the udder to sag and causing the teats to point outward from the sides of the udder. In others the rear attachment appears to become lax, allowing the udder to swing forward, and sometimes causing the rear quarters to occupy a position lower than the front quarters. These are the more common types of broken-down udders; there are many variations. Generally, this breaking down is a condition that occurs with large, heavy udders. Usually it becomes progressively more pronounced with advance in age. Occasionally it occurs with udders of moderate size and may be pronounced early in life. The breaking down of udders is frequently attributed to heavy milk production. The physiological function of milk secretion has been developed by breeding and improved nutrition until it has reached amazingly high levels. The range cow produces only enough milk to raise her calf. The good dairy cow produces in 1 year an amount of milk that is equivalent to 8 to 12 times her live weight. In some cases cows have produced an amount of milk in 1 year that was equivalent to 20 times their live weight. The combined weight of the udder and the milk that it contains is often very great. The broken-down or pendulous udder is objectionable for a number of reasons. Such udders are difíicult to milk; they are hard to keep clean; they interfere with the cow^s locomotion; they are subject to friction, trauma, and injuries from sharp objects; and the teats are often injured as a result of being stepped on by the cow herself or by cows in adjoining stalls. Moreover, such udders are unsightly. Good-producing cows that have pendulous udders have much lower sale value than cows with well-attached udders, although little is known of the effect of this condition on the animaPs producing ability. In view of the greater liability of the pendulous udder to injury such an udder would appear to be more subject to mastitis. A more comprehensive knowledge of the supporting tissues of the udder may suggest methods of management that will be helpful in preventing broken-down udders; it may suggest points to be consid-