Agalaxia

/ˌæɡəˈlæksiə/ noun

Definition

A disease affecting livestock, especially goats and sheep, characterized by inflammation of the udders and inability to produce milk.

Etymology

From Greek 'a-' (without) + 'gala' (milk) + '-ia' (condition). This medical term entered veterinary science vocabulary in the 19th century to describe a specific disease condition in farm animals.

Kelly Says

Contagious agalaxia in goats can spread rapidly through a herd and was historically devastating to Mediterranean farmers who depended on goat milk for cheese and survival. Modern vaccines have made this disease much less common, but it still threatens small-scale goat farmers in some regions.

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