OSSEOUS CACHEXIA, 



18 



badly co-ordinated. They are inclined to stumble, and appear as though 

 suffering from strain of the lumbar muscles. 



In the second phase pain referable to the bones sets in. Lameness 

 develops without visible lesions and is rapidly followed by synovitis and 

 arthritis in the lower portions of the limbs, and by wasting and anasmia. 



The animals seem unable to move rapidly, or if forced to do so may 

 sustain fractures even at a trot : the limb bones sometimes break or 

 ligamentous insertions in the neighbourhood of joints are torn away, 

 resulting in sudden falls on the ground and fracture of ribs or even of 

 the vertebral column. This corresponds to the 

 third phase, osteoclastia, in oxen. 



From then onwards, horses become useless 

 and, if not destroyed, may, after a few weeks 

 or months, develop the condition known as 

 osteomalacia, in which the flat bones become 

 softened, the head, the branches of the lower 

 jaw and the face become deformed, while 

 mastication and other functions are impeded. 



Germain gives the above symptoms as 

 characteristic of the mode of development of 

 the disease in French and Algerian horses 

 imported into Tonquin, and his description, 

 written several years ago, is fully confirmed by 

 more recent observations. Since Tonquin was 

 taken over by the French, however, improved 

 methods of culture have resulted in the produc- 

 tion of better cereals and forage ; the fodder 

 plants have been vastly improved, to the great 

 benefit of imported animals. 



In the goat, the disease shows some slight 

 peculiarities. Thus, in the second phase, during 

 which goats and sheep. suffer so markedly from 

 lameness and pain in the bones, goats often 

 walk on the knees. The disease, however, is uncommon in these animals. 

 The phase of osteoclastia is also less marked and fractures are rare, 

 because the animals weigh less and also because they are less exposed 

 to falls and violent shocks. The bones, nevertheless, are extremely 

 fragile and fractures may be produced at will. 



Osteomalacia, on the other hand, is always well marked. 



Eegarding the development of the disease in pigs, we may repeat what 

 has just been said respecting the goat. Walking on the knees is often 

 one of the first signs, fractures are somewhat rare, and the period 

 of softening and deformity is always very noticeable. 



Fig. 6.— Osseous cachexia. 

 Tills condition (le\ eloped 

 in two months, the last 

 month of gestation and 

 the first of lactation. 



