Senile Changes in Bone. 201 



6. 6. Senile Osteo-malacia of the Femur.— Longitudinal 



sections of the left femur of an old -vvonian, showing the above. 



The patient was bed-ridden in the workhouse, and all her bones 

 showed a similar change. 



The bone is much lighter and more fragile than usual, and 

 in places at either end could easily be marked with the finger- 

 nail. The outer wall of bone has been reduced to a mere shell, 

 except at the upper end of the shaft, and there the bone tissue, 

 although thicker than elsewhere, is opened out almost into 

 cancellated tissue. 



The cancellated tissue at the extremities is extremely light 

 and delicate, and in places has disappeared. 



On the surface the marks of muscular attachments are less 

 prominent than usual, and in places the surface is porous. 



When fresh, the interior of the bone was filled by a reddish- 

 brown jelly-like material which had replaced the marrow, except 

 at the middle of the shaft. It was not greasy. 



The bone was easily macerated, and is quite dry, except at 

 the lower end, where it is slightly oily. The angle which the neck 

 forms with the shaft does not seem altered, possibly because the 

 patient was bed-ridden some time before her death. G. C. 3222. 



Presented by Q-H.k\\hY.H W. Cathcart, F.R.C.S.E., 1891. 



6. 7. Senile Osteo-malacia of the Tibia.— Sections of the left 



tibia from the same patient — macerated, to show the above. 



The bone shows characteristic changes, in all respects 

 similar to those seen in the previous specimen. G. C. 3223. 

 Presented by CuKVih-ES, W. Cathcart, F.R.C.S.E., 1891. 



6. 8. Senile Osteo-malacia of the Sacrum and Coccyx.— 



Sacrum, coccyx, and last two lumbar vertebrae, from the same 

 patient — macerated, to show the above. 



The lower part of the sacrum is bent sharply forwards^ at 

 about a right angle to the rest of the bone. 



