DISEASES OP THE BLOOD. 105 



into aiiofher, frequently the corresponding, part of the 

 body. This metastatic character of rheumatism is a very 

 marked feature of the disease. The tendency of the 

 disorder to recur in a part once affected is also very 

 evident. The swellings of a hardened character which 

 appear around the joints seldom lead to suppuration, 

 though the local inflammation runs high, and causes severe 

 fever, the blood containing very much fibrin. The changes 

 which result from this special arthritis are peculiar. Re- 

 moval of articular surfaces in parts occur, and the exposed 

 cancellated tissue becomes consolidated by deposition of 

 bony substance, and exhibits a high polish, which results 

 from friction. This is termed ehurnation, or porcellaneous 

 deposition. The urine in rheumatism contains much saline 

 matter, due to increase in amount of hippurates excreted. 

 When the disease assumes the chronic form it is most 

 liable to produce the above-mentioned change of articular 

 surfaces. Calcification, or even ossification, of the fasciae 

 and ligaments may result from the chronic form ; thus, 

 tumours, apparently of a bony character, may be found 

 embedded among muscles, or loosely or firmly connected 

 with bones. They are not truly ossific, being composed 

 largely of hippurates, or urates of alkalies, sometimes, 

 especially when they appear in joints, they are termed 

 gout-stones. The endocardium tends to become the seat 

 of fibrinous deposit, and the pericardium to opacity, cal- 

 cification, and even ossification in chronic rheumatism. 

 Disorder of this kind renders the heart irritable, inter- 

 mittent in its action, and the pulse quick, hard, and 

 small. " The soft structures above and below the affected 

 joints in horned cattle sometimes swell, suppurate, and 

 continue to discharge pus for a lengthened period, the 

 animal rapidly wasting, and finally becoming worthless " 

 (Williams) ; and when suffering from the arthritic form 

 cattle obstinately remain recumbent. 



Treatment must comprise most careful nursing of the 

 animal, and avoidance of exposure to draughts ; ad- 

 ministration of eliminatives, such as will promote the 

 action of the skin, bowels, and kidneys. Colchicum is 



