2 4G THE NATURE AND TREATMENT OF 



If the animals recover (we are told they do), then it might 

 be inferred that the bones possess properties analogous to that 

 of the soft tissues, — an inference which the reader knows is not 

 correct. I would observe, however, that all parts of the an- 

 imal organism undergo a very perceptible augmentation, and 

 decrease or waste. Thus, up to the period of adult life, all 

 parts of the animal frame increase in bulk, and give to the an- 

 imal that rotund and symmetrical appearance which attracts 

 the eye of all those who love to admire the works of nature ; 

 but at last old age comes on, which is attended by a gradual 

 waste or shrinkage ; this occurs, however, more in the muscles 

 than in the bones ; yet the latter undergo some condensation 

 which may possibly lessen their volume ; this, however, is a 

 physiological result, — the work of uncompromising nature, 

 over which human agency (bone meal included) has not the 

 least control. 



Whenever the bones do become diseased, it is the result of 

 hereditary predisposition, of local injury, or of impaired diges- 

 tion. So far as my inquiries have extended, in relation to the 

 character of the so-called bone disorder, I infer that it is a dis- 

 ease of a debilitating character, originating in most cases in the 

 digestive and nutritive organs, affecting not only the bones but 

 various other tissues of the body, and therefore the only rational 

 plan of treatment consists in improving the general health of 

 the animal. The ways and means of accomplishing this very 

 desirable result, are as various as the causes which occasion the 

 derangements. If it be evident (as the bone disorder theorists 

 contend) that the animal organism, in such cases, is deficient 

 in phosphate of lime, I have no objection to offer against the 

 popular custom of giving the patient a few doses of bone 

 meal ; for whenever there shall be a deficiency of carbon in 

 the system, bone meal may be useful in supporting pulmonary 

 combustion, and thus insure healthy action of the organs and 

 functions of the animal economy ; yet I would suggest to the 

 intelligent reader, that as bruised oats, ground corn, and lin- 

 seed meal contain a large amount of phosphates, they should be 

 selected in preference to bone meal, which I think is more 



