BULLNOSE 645 



gentian, sulphate of iron, and a small amount of arsenic. Bone- 

 meal is also a valuable addition to the diet in these cases and may be 

 easily procured. Calcium carbonate in powdered form, added to 

 milk, and fed in this manner, is often followed by good results. 

 About a teaspoonful should be added for each animal in the herd. 

 If the disease is taken early and proper change made in diet, 

 tonics administered, and the animals placed in clean, dry feed yards, 

 no trouble will be experienced in getting a complete recovery. 

 In cases that are neglected until severe deformities have occurred 

 but little can be done, and these chronic runts are best knocked in 

 the head. 



BULLNOSE (OSTEOMALACIA, SNUFFLES) 



Definition. — This is a condition which is very closely related to 

 rickets, and by some authors is classed as merely a more advanced 

 or special form of that disease. In bullnose the most marked 

 changes are produced in the bones of the head, and considerable 

 deformity takes place in the shape and size of the cheek bones and 

 the bones of the snout. The disease is practically always accom- 

 panied by an inflammation of the lining membrane of the nostrils, 

 and this is probably the starting-point of the disease. 



There is another disease to which the term "snuffles" is more 

 properly apphed. This has already been described under the head 

 of Malignant Rhinitis, and is due to a specific germ, known as the 

 Bacillus pyocyaneus. In this condition there is a severe form of 

 inflammation of the membrane lining the nose, but no deformity of 

 the bones of the head. 



Causes.— As in the case of rickets, the cause of this disease is to 

 be found largely in improper feeding. Lack of calcium and other 

 bone-building mineral salts in the food seems to be an important 

 element in the disease. The animal, weakened by improper nutri- 

 tion, becomes susceptible to germ infection, and this starts in as 

 an infection of the membrane of the nose. The changes produced 

 by the local inflammation weaken the tissues and predispose to 

 abnormal changes in the bones of the head. Dirty, poorly drained 

 feed lots and improper sleeping quarters are also of importance in 

 rendering the animal more liable to disease. 



Symptoms. — This disease usually starts in with a severe infec- 



