T1IIR'|-EENTH ANNUAL REPORT 139 



Either it is arched, with the dorsal vertebrae prominent, or the 

 back may be depressed, i^iving a hollow or saddle-back appear- 

 ance to the animal. ( irowth is greatly retarded, and often the 

 animal remains dwarfed. 



Rickets in monkeys is shown by great unthrifliness. The hair 

 is dry, rough and faded, and the skin shows a predisposition to 

 eczema. The back is arched and the bones prominent. There is 

 swelling of the joints, particularly of the wrist, elbow and knee ; 

 the ends of the ribs are enlarged and the chest caved in. bron- 

 chitis, indigestion and skin irritations appear, and, if not relieved, 

 the animal continues in a state of malnutrition, and soon dies. 



In the small mammals rickets is manifested by bony enlarge- 

 ments at the joints, and by button-like thickenings at the union of 

 the ribs and costal cartilages ; and curvature of the extremities 

 with the hind legs flexed tightly under the body. The animals lie 

 huddled up a great deal of the time, and when made to move do 

 so with slow, painful movements. 



Rickets may be mistaken for acute muscular rheumatism, but it 

 must be remembered that rickets is a slow and gradually develop- 

 ing disease, while rheumatism comes on suddenly. In rheumatism 

 there is no bulging and bending of the bones, and unless in the 

 chronic form there are no enlargements at the joints. 



In prevention and treatment alike, fresh air and drv quarters 

 are absolutely necessary. Lime water, small doses of phosphate 

 of soda or bone dust act beneficially as tonics as well as food 

 material. For the carnivorous animals daily doses of cod-liver 

 oil, given over a long period, is also of great value. Practically 

 all cat animals will take this oil, smeared over meat, and in many 

 cases will lap the clear oil from a pan with great relish. The 

 other substances being practically tasteless no difficulty is ex- 

 perienced in administering them to any animal with the food. 



Gastro-E lit critis.— The number of deaths from gastro-enteritis 

 diminish each year, and during the past year no important large 

 mammal died from this disease. In the buffalo herd, which has 

 heretofore been the greatest sufiferer from this disease, the only 

 death to be recorded is that of a very old cow which had been a 

 chronic sufferer from gastro-ciitcritis for the past five years. 

 Among the animals on Mountain Sheep Hill there has been but 

 few cases of gasfro-ciitcritis. A number of acute cases developed 

 during the late summer and early autumn. Imt by their prompt 

 removal to the hospital, or Small-Deer House, for treatment they 

 have ail recovered. The male mouflon, which has had no less than 

 five severe attacks of gastro-enteritis, has been kept in the Small- 



