DISEASES OF THE BONES. 77 



were all found in this condition. When the marrow is de- 

 stroyed, necrosis takes place ; the bones die, and so does the 

 horse. As might be expected, while the disease is running 

 its fearful course, the poor suflerer becomes dreadfully emaci- 

 ated. 



SYMPTOMS, ETC. 



It is extremely desirable so to describe the disease, and to 

 point out its earliest peculiarities, as that all may be en- 

 abled to discover it readily, and to protect themselves from 

 imposition. This will not prove difficult. In its very first 

 stages, big head may be easily detected by running the 

 thumb up under the lip, beside the under jaw-bone, between 

 the lip and the teeth. The side of the jaw should be 

 nearly perpendicular with the teeth above. Should there 

 be any enlargement, even as much as the eighth of an 

 inch, let the farmer beware of that horse. Any* swelling of 

 the head or upper jaw he can see at the first careful glance. 

 The nasal bone, which lies in a direct line from the eye to 

 the nose, is the one that becomes misshapen and betrays 

 the presence of the disease. 



The skin and muscles of the head become fixed, and will 

 not move by pulling the lips. One of the surest indications 

 of big head is a constant sleepiness while standing. 



As the disease progresses, the appearance of the poor vic- 

 tim becomes pitiable in the extreme. He is gaunt and 

 drawn up, his hind and forefeet almost together ; his head 

 droops and water runs from his eyes; the hair is erect; the 

 joints are stift', and the skin is dry and hard, and seems very . 

 tight. His excrement, which is hard, black, and almost 

 entirely destitute of moisture, is voided with great diffi- 

 culty. 



As has been intimated, the disease in its first stages is 

 not perceptible to the unpracticed eye. It then presents no 

 external evidences by which it may be known, and hence 

 many an amateur trader in horses and mules has been de- 

 ceived. The unsuspecting owner soon finds that something 

 is wrong; the horse is stiff, and does not move with his 



