MAMMARY GLANDS, the milk-glands of mammalian animals (see BREAST). They are present in all mammals, in both sexes, but in the male are usually rudimentary, their functional activity being limited to the female, who secretes in these glands the milk for nourishing her young during a natural period after birth. In all mammals they are placed in pairs, but vary much in position and number in different groups. Zoologists give them names according to their position near the armpits (axillary), on the chest (pectoral), on the belly (ventral or abdominal), or near the groin (ingumal). They are never situated on the back. The number in an individual may be from 2 to 12 or more, and is usually even. The structure of the cow's udder is due to the uniting of the same number of mammm as there are of teats, the number of which, when more than two, usually corresponds to that of the young produced at each birth The mammary glands of Marsupialia (q.v.) are contained in the pouch. In monotremes duck-bills and echidnas — the nipple is not present. (See Diseases of the Mammary The common inflammation of the glands (mastitis) is often attended by much swelling, with fever and painful tenderness. The formation of pus
is apt to result in a slowly pointing abscess. Great care in diet and regulation of the bowels should be observed. Purgatives and fomenta tions may be necessary, also in many oases the placing of the arm on the affected side in a sling. Drawing off the milk and evacuating the pus may be practicable and will afford great relief. Pain in the breasts (mastolynia) may result from many causes, of which sore nipples is one of the most frequent. The nipples are also subject to cracks, ulcerations, etc., which occasion much difficulty and pain to the mother when suckling the child. Lotions of an astrin gent character, as tannin, etc., have a remedial effect in such disorders, as have also collodion and lunar caustic (nitrate of silver), when ap plied to the sore nipple. Metallic shields are used in severe cases for protection of the affected point. Among many specific disorders to which the mammary glands are liable are cancer and galactocele and other forms of tumor. See MILK FEVER.