30 BONE TUMOURS. 



direct wounds, the bone may be contused and injured, becoming the seat 

 of diffused periostitis, necrosis, suppurating ostitis or osteomyelitis. 

 Open fractures may produce the same results. 



Treatment comprises disinfection of wounds, antiseptic injection of 

 fistulae, the application of antiseptic pencils, curettage, the removal of 

 sequestra, and vesicant or resolvent complications. When such condi- 

 tions extend to neighbouring joints and produce suppurative arthritis, 

 the animals ought to be killed. 



BONE TUMOURS. 



The only bone tumours of real imj^ortance from a practical point of 

 view are malignant growths represented by rapidly spreading epithelio- 

 mata or sarcomata, originating in the periosteum. Fortunately such 

 tumours are rare. 



They are not difficult to diagnose, as they develop rapidly, are accom- 

 panied by pain and lameness ending in diminution or loss of the power 

 of movement, and frequently attack neighbouring lymphatic glands. 

 Even when in good condition, animals lose flesh and appetite, and finally 

 die of general wasting. The diagnosis is sufficiently guided by the 

 deformity of the parts, the bosselated appearance of the tumours, the 

 absence of fluctuation, the haemorrhage which follows exploratory punc- 

 ture, the character of the little fragments of tissue removed through 

 these punctures, and finally the leukocytosis, which accompanies the 

 development of malignant tumours. 



The prognosis is grave, for it is usually difficult or out of the question 

 to have recourse to removal, resection or amputation, when the tumours 

 have acquired any considerable size. Success is impossible unless 

 intervention is early, and the growth is in a readily accessible part. In 

 other circumstances early slaughter is indicated. 



