140 SWINE DISEASES 



limited infection and the less extensive tumefaction, and 

 lack of density of the affected bones. 



Treatment. Treatment of rachitic swine is advised 

 only in the early stages of the disease. Those in the 

 advanced stages should be destroyed. The first thing to 

 do is to place the animals in sanitary quarters, then 

 medicinal treatment consists of administering lime in 

 some form. Prepared chalk may be used. Bone meal 

 is also of value, precipitated calcium phosphate is highly 

 recommended by some, and calcium chlorate may be 

 found serviceable. Preventive measures, as proper feed- 

 ing and care, practically insure against the occurrence of 

 this disease in swine. 



Osteomalacia 



This is a disease characterized by softening and 

 fragility of bones. Osteomalacia is also a disease of 

 disturbed metabolism which evidences itself by lesions 

 of the bones. It is not of common occurrence in swine, 

 and when found is due to an insufficient amount of lime 

 in the regimen, in a form capable of assimilation. 



The bones most frequently involved are those of the 

 extremities, ribs, vertebral column, skull, and pelvis. 

 The affected bones become enlarged and less dense, the 

 marrow cavity of long bones is increased in size and 

 filled with a gelatinous, usually hemorrhagic marrow, 

 while the osseous tissue is less dense and more fragile. 

 Fractures are very common. 



The disease is usually initiated by digestive dis- 

 turbances, which is succeeded by emaciation, impaired 

 and usually difficult locomotion, fractures, and various 

 deformities. The disease finally assumes a chronic 

 form, evidencing periods of temporary improvement and 

 relapses. This is essentially a disease of mature animals, 

 and this factor is of value in differentiating Osteomalacia 

 from rickets. The prognosis is favorable in cases showing 

 no marked enlargement of bones or deformity, and 

 unfavorable in those cases showing deformity. 



