252 LAMENESS. 



Parasites are often present in large numbers in the stomach 

 and intestines. The bones are enlarged and softened, crumble 

 upon the application of slight pressure, and if fractures have oc- 

 curred some time prior to death, it will be found that the repara- 

 tive process has been but very imperfectly and feebly established. 



In this disease a peculiar pathological process obtains, similar 

 to that which is witnessed in the general emaciation of phthisis 

 pulmonalis, described at page 49 of my Principles and Practice 

 of Veterinary Medicine, namely, the absorption of a tissue, and 

 its redeposition ; but in this disease, instead of fat being absorbed, 

 it is found that the calcareous ingredients of some bones are 

 removed by absorption, and deposited in the form of osseous 

 tumours upon various other bones of the skeleton, obliterating 

 cavities of reception, and causing deformity of the bones them- 

 selves. 



The prevention of this disease is to be accomplished by 

 proper diet ; change of pasture if possible, if not, the addition of 

 cake or other nutritious feeding material; whilst the pastures 

 themselves are to be manured with artificial and other dressings 

 • — the phosphates of lime, nitrate of soda, or the salts of ammonia, 

 as may be determined upon by a competent analyst. 



In the early stages, the disease may be successfully combated 

 by antacids, tonics, occasional but mild aperients, and proper 

 food ; but if the osseous system is greatly involved, treatment is 

 useless. 



