bones: diseases and accidents. 285 



for any joint and may attack the stifle, liip, shoulder, or elbow joint. 

 In mild cases of articular rheumatism, the animal may fully recover 

 in a few days. 



In chronic articular rheumatism there is less tendency of the dis- 

 ease to shift about, but there is a greater liability of structural change 

 in the affected joints. This change may consist of induration, exos- 

 tosis, or even anchylosis. These structural changes about the joints 

 may lead to permanent deformity, such as the bending of the neck. 

 Fever is not so constant in the chronic form as in the acute, and the 

 latter may lapse into the former. 



SymptoTtis of muscular rhev/matisTn. — This form of rheumatistn 

 may appear under the same general conditions as the articular form. 

 The general appearance of the animal is the same in both forms. The 

 cow usually assumes a recumbent position, and all the movements 

 made are stiff' and lame. The method of rising or of locomotion indi- 

 cates pain in certain muscles or groups of muscles, as of the croup, 

 shoulder, or neck. As in the case of articular rheumatism, the 

 tendons, ligaments, and synovial membranes may become involved. 

 The constitutional symptoms in both articular and muscular rheu- 

 matism are similar, so that it is often perplexing to differentiate be- 

 tween the two forms. 



Prevention. — It is somewhat difficult to procure preventive treat- 

 ment for cattle, especially when there are large numbers with little 

 or no shelter. In general, it is advisable to protect the animals so far 

 as possible from inclement weather conditions, such as cold rains, 

 heavy dews, and frosts. This is more particularly necessary for ani- 

 mals in poor condition, or those which are perspiring or fatigued 

 after long physical exertion. Careful feeding is also essential. 



Treatment. — In attempting to treat cattle for rheumatism the first 

 step is to procure proper shelter and environment. The animal 

 should be quartered in a large, clean, dry stall, with plenty of light 

 and fresh air, but protected from strong drafts. There should be an 

 abundance of clean, dry bedding. The feed should be soft, easily 

 digestible, and slightly laxative, and the animal should have access to 

 clean, pure, cool water. 



For general or constitutional treatment of acute rheumatism, 

 sodium salicylate is indicated. In order to gain the best results from 

 this drug, it should be administered with the idea of rapidly saturat- 

 ing the sj^stem. To cattle it may be given in doses of one-half ounce 

 every two hours for ten hours or until immediate relief is obtained. 

 This drug should not be continued indefinitely, but may be given 

 once a day after immediate relief has been obtained, and this single 

 dose continued daily until permanent relief ensues, when it should 

 be stopped. The use of sodium salicylate in chronic rheumatism is 

 not advisable on account of the danger of depressing the heart, whose 



