244 THE NATURE AND TREATMENT OF 



passed a seton through the most depending portion of the in- 

 tegumental sac, with a view to give a gradual and continuous 

 exit to the serous effusion. A compress was also placed upon 

 the part to remove as much of the pressure of the viscera as 

 possible, after which the animal was allowed to rise. 



" For several days the bowels remained obstinately consti- 

 pated, and some symptomatic fever was also present ; but by 

 proper measures these unfavorable symptoms were soon re- 

 moved. The animal was allowed only linseed tea and thin 

 gruel for a few days. Subsequently a large amount of serous 

 fluid was discharged through the openings made for the intro- 

 duction of the seton ; it, however, soon ceased. The sutures 

 also came away in due course, leaving but little appearance of 

 the original injury." , 



DISEASES OF THE BONES. 



BONE DISORDER. 



During the past few years I have noticed a number of 

 articles in our agricultural periodicals, referring to a disease 

 named by the writers ^^ Bone Disorder J^ The name, as the 

 reader will perceive, does not throw the least ray of light on 

 the pathology of the malady ; in fact, it savors strongly of the 

 so-called " horn-ail," " tail-ail," — terms which apply to symp- 

 toms rather than to any real disorder. One writer informs us 

 that when an animal becomes the subject of bone disorder, 

 " the bones threaten to cave in — have wasted away." If they 

 do threaten to cave in, the best method I am acquainted with to 

 insure an opposite tendency, is to promote the healthy functions 

 of the body, and thus keep disease and the cattle separate. 



If the bones waste away and then assume their original shape 

 by merely feeding hone meal, as the writers contend, then the 

 bones of cattle must possess some peculiarities that I have never, 

 in my professional capacity, been able to discover. 



