CHAPTER XVI 

 DISEASES OF THE BONES, JOINTS, AND TEETH 



INFLAMMATION OF BONE 



The different parts of a bone are so closely associated in nature 

 that it is difficult to determine whether the periosteum, the bone 

 substance proper, or the bone-marrow is involved in the inflam- 

 matory process. Although the principles of treatment are the 

 same for each, it is advantageous to know exactly where the in- 

 flammation is located. 



Periostitis is inflammation of the periosteum or tissue cover- 

 ing the bone. It is the result of irritation in some form. Pain is 

 the chief symptom of inflammation shown by the animal, and is 

 severe because there is little opportunity for the tissue to swell as 

 do the softer structures of the body. Heat and swelling are almost 

 or quite imperceptible for the same reason. Treatment should be 

 given in the early stages to be of greatest benefit. Rest is the 

 remedy of most importance. The application of cold-water ban- 

 dages, changed every hour or two, is an easy method of obtaining 

 moist heat which aids in hastening recovery. 



Ostitis is inflammation -of the bone substance. The causes are 

 either mechanical or infectious irritants. Among the common 

 mechanical causes are injuries from blows, kicks, and other trau- 

 matisms. Not infrequently a non-infectious ostitis is converted 

 into the septic form by subsequent infection with micro-organisms. 

 The chief symptom of ostitis is the appearance of a hard projection 

 from the surface of the bone. Such a growth is called an exostosis. 

 Exostoses may occur anywhere on the bone, but are most often 

 seen in the region of joints where they cause laineness. They 

 nicely illustrate nature's effort to repair the injured structures. 

 One characteristic of exostoses is slowness of growth. It may re- 

 quire years for them to reach their full size. Sometimes they be- 

 come reduced in size or entirely disappear, but, as a rule, after an 

 exostosis once develops it will remain as a permanent blemish. 

 When an exostosis occurs at a joint and progresses so far that the 



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