OSSEOUS CACHEXIA. 19 



cultivation as the free distribution of superphosphate manures on 

 impoverished soils modify the chemical composition of the forage, 

 and render it capable of building up and sustaining the organism and 

 bony tissues ; treatment should therefore be essentially prophylactic 

 in character. 



Animals suffering from osseous cachexia should be fed on cereals and 

 forage obtained from rich districts where the disease has never occurred ; 

 but, as in times of scarcity questions of expense almost always receive 

 first consideration, it may be necessary to substitute bran for such 

 products, or give oats, maize, beans, rice, and oil or cotton cake, etc., 

 all of which can be obtained commercially, and are of sufficient 

 nutritive richness. It is often advantageous to give such food cooked 

 and slightly salted. 



Commercial ground bones and calcium phosphate (bi- or tri- basic), in 

 doses of 1 ounce per day for oxen and 1^ to 2 drachms for pigs or goats, 

 have given excellent results in the hands of most practitioners. Some 

 recommend the addition of iron salts or bitter tonics like gentian or 

 nux vomica in doses of 2^ drachms per day for a full-grown ox. 



Law declares that the treatment should be varied " with the pre- 

 dominance of the causes, essential or accessory. . . . Green clover, 

 alfalfa, and other leguminous products, ground oats, beans, peas, 

 linseed or rape cake . . . and vetches may be especially recom- 

 mended. . . . The free access to common salt and a liberal supply 

 of bone meal are helpful. . . . Apomorphia is especially valuable in 

 correcting the perverted appetite and stimulating digestion. A change 

 of pasture is always advisable. In all cases where possible the water 

 should be changed as well as the food. Attention to the housing, 

 grooming, and general care of the animals should not be neglected. 

 Finally, every drain upon the system should be lessened or stopped. 

 The milk may be dried up, and the animal should not be bred." 



Meat meal also renders good service, but the use of cod liver oil, 

 suggested by Zundel, is too expensive, and phosphorised oil is too 

 dangerous to be adopted in ordinary treatment. 



Local treatment for synovitis and arthritis has been recommended. 

 It is ineffective unless accompanied by good feeding and internal 

 medication. On the other hand, the lesions often diminish rapidly or 

 totally disappear under the influence of general medication alone. 



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