PART III. 



ANATOMY, DISEASES AND TREATMENT OF 

 CATTLE. 



CHAPTER I. 

 ANATOMY OF THE OX. 



T. — The Skeleton. 



EACH bone and joint in the skeleton of the ox receives 

 the same name as the corresponding bone and joint 

 in that of the horse. There are, however, a few 

 important points of difference that it may be well to note. 



(a) The ox has thirteen, but the horse eighteen pairs of 

 ribs. 



(b) The breast bone or sternum of the ox is much larger 

 and flatter than that of the horse. This is important as it 

 accounts for the fact that a cow suffering with lung disease 

 usually lies down, while under similar conditions the horse 

 remains standing. The peculiar formation of the breast bones 

 and ribs eases the ox in a lying position, but on the other 

 hand contracts the chest of a horse, giving rise to more 

 severe pain than when standing. 



(c) The bones of the head of the ox are heavier, wider 

 and possessed of a projection — the core of the horn — on the 

 upper part of the skull. Note this when dehorning. The 

 core is hollow, being a continuation of the sinuses or cavities 

 in the bones of the head. The horn is attached to and covers 

 the core. 



(d) Two small bones — the cardiac or heart bones — are 

 situated in the heart of the ox. No such bones are found in 

 the heart of the horse. 



(e) The bones of the leg of the ox are divided from fet- 

 lock down, into two parts, while in the horse they are not 

 divided. 



