PROF. T. WINGATE TODD ON OSTEOMALACIA. 855 



48. Observations on Osteomalacia in the Zoological Collec- 

 tions o£ Manchester and Cleveland. By T. Wingate 

 Todd, M.B., F.R.C.S., Professor of Anatomy, Western 

 Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio *. 



[Received May 5, 1913 : Read June 3, 1913.] 



(Plates LXXXVII.-LXXXIX.t) 



It is the object of this communication to call attention to the 

 widespi-ead appearance of osteomalacia among animals in captivity, 

 and to point out the opportunity afforded by the disease for the 

 study of changes in formed bone-tissue. 



Through the kindness of Messrs. Jennison of Manchester and 

 Director Springborn of Cleveland, I have been enabled to study 

 the disease as it exists in the Zoological Gardens of both these 

 cities. 



In Manchester, while the cercopitheques, macaques and small 

 baboons were kept in a large cage in a moderately heated 

 monkey-house, the animals sickened and died of miliary tubercle 

 within a few months after their arrival. "When, however, the 

 glass was removed from the windows of the monkey-house and a 

 free current of air permitted to pass through the building, the 

 animals remained healthy for as long as three years. Eventually, 

 however, most of them begin to show a disinclination to move 

 about, crouching and walking with the aid of the fore-limbs — the 

 hind ones being curled up beneath the body in squatting attitude. 

 When attacked by healthy animals they seem unable to defend 

 themselves, or, if they try to run away, they do so groaning with 

 apparent pain. This is more marked if they are compelled to use 

 their hind legs, as, for instance, in climbing. Left to themselves 

 they are very much addicted to masturbation. Indeed, in Cleve- 

 land, my attention was first drawn to the condition by my being 

 asked to inspect some macaques of both sexes which had developed 

 this objectionable habit. As the disease progresses the joints 

 become stifi" and enlarged, although post-mortem joint-changes 

 have not been present in the cases which I have examined. The 

 disease is not of itself fatal and may last two years, although it 

 is usually found necessary to destroy the animals after twelve 

 months. If the animals die, there are frequently indications of 

 broncho-pneumonia found at the autopsy. The food on which all 

 the apes, healthy and diseased, are fed consists of i-ice-pudding, 

 carrots, onions, potatoes, greens, apples, and bananas, with a little 

 meat occasionally. 



While suffering from the disease, the hair may become dry, 

 ruffled, or fall out. This is more frequently the case in rabbits 



* Communicated by tlie Secretaet. 



t For explanation of the Plates see pp. 859-860. 



