RICKETS. 199 



limbs bend inward ; and in the horse there is a strong ten- 

 dency to curb, bursal enlargements, bog -spavin, etc., and 

 the joints usually become enlarged to a greater or less extent. 

 There is also general weakness and debility, and perhaps 

 irregularity of the bowels, which is speedily followed by 

 emaciation, which after awhile becomes extreme ; in a well- 

 marked case affecting the horse the fetlock may descend 

 nearly to the ground on the outside, and there is stiffness 

 and considerable difficulty in progression. 



Treatment. — The treatment of rickets must be both local 

 and constitutional, and to be successful must be energetic 

 and persevered in, regardless of trouble, etc., until a cure is 

 effected, or it becomes plain that the case cannot be 

 treated successfully. If the milk of the mother is suspected 

 to be the cause of the trouble, or is found to be deficient in 

 any of its necessary constituents, the defect may be remedied 

 by changing or increasing the food of the mother, and by 

 giving her alteratives and tonics, and taking good care of 

 her generally. The administration of alteratives and tonics 

 to the foal should not be neglected, and is sometimes fol- 

 lowed by very beneficial results ; iron, gentian, quinine, etc., 

 may be given to both foal and mother in appropriate doses. 

 If the bowels are irregular, a slight laxative may be adminis- 

 tered ; if acidity of the stomach be present, alkalies should 

 be given, and there is none better than aqua calcis, which 

 may be combined with ol. lini or ol. ricini. ; where there is 

 any tendency to constipation, and given in the usual doses 

 at proper intervals. The limbs are to be supported ; some- 

 times a simple bandage, properly applied, suffices for the 

 purpose ; where' it will not, use splints. Keep in a nice level 

 paddock, and give food that tends to make bone, as bones 

 to a dog, ol. lini, ol. morrhute, oatmeal, etc., to foals, and a 

 cure -sWll often result. 



