212 DISEASES OF METABOLISM OF BONES 



prominent symptom is enlargement of one or both rami of 

 the lower jaw or a bulging of the bones of the face ("big 

 head"). Later the patient becomes more and more emaci- 

 ated, the gait stiff, the flank tucked and finally remains 

 recumbent and unable to regain its feet without assistance. 

 Spontaneous pelvic and limb bone fractxu'es are common in 

 cattle and goats and are not rare in horses, especially if cast 

 for an operation (castration) when fracture of the femur or 

 spinal column often results. More rarely the Achilles tendon 

 tears loose from its attachment to the os calcis. 



Diagnosis. — Until enlargements of the bone or spontaneous 

 fractures occur the diagnosis is difficult. In the horse in all 

 cases of obscure lameness resembling rheumatism osteoporosis 

 should be thought of. In cattle pica or licking disease is a 

 common forerunner. Later symptoms of painful mastica- 

 tion, emaciation, difficulty in rising from a recumbent posi- 

 tion, stiffness of gait, tucked up abdomen and enlargement of 

 the maxillae appear, which are indicative of the disorder. In 

 districts where the disease is enzootic obviously the diagnosis 

 is not so difficult as when a sporadic case is met in a section 

 where osteoporosis is rare. 



Prognosis. — Advanced cases are hopeless and should be 

 destroyed. If able to walk they are often rested, which 

 ameliorates the condition, and sold, but usually when returned 

 to work they again grow worse. Sometimes transplanting 

 the case to a district where the disease is not enzootic is fol- 

 lowed by good results. The better the care and food and the 

 lighter the work, as a rule, the longer the patients last. 



Course. — ^The course is chronic and extends from three 

 months to two years from the time the diagnosis is made. 



Treatment. — ^The principal thing in the treatment is to 

 change the environment and food of the patient. Where it is 

 not possible to remove the animal to another district, feeding 

 alfalfa, alfalfa feed and molasses and alfalfa hay have been 

 of great benefit. Medicinal treatment is of Jittle value. 

 Phosphate of lime in the form of bone meal is useful. Or 

 phosphorus (gr. |-|) in oil is recommended. For symptoms 

 of "licking disease" in cattle the hydrochlorid of apomorphin 

 (grs. ij-iij subcutaneously) is advised. 



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