608 PRINCIPLES OF VETERINARY SURGERY 



seen at the final stage when the bones have become soft- 

 ened and deformed. The bones may be so soft as to yield to 

 the pressure of the finger. The deformations take place in 

 the articulations, the epiphyses and in the diaphyses. The 

 pelvis may become so deformed as to render parturition im- 

 possible, and the vertebral column may become curved and 

 otherwise deformed. A sufficient analysis of the urine has 

 not been made, but it is cloudy and contains a large quan- 

 tity of phosphate of lime. 



COURSE, DURATION, TERMINATION.— The dis- 

 ease develops slowly but progressively. The duration is 

 from three to four months, or even more. Its evolution is 

 more rapid in pregnant cows, and unless prompt treatment 

 is administered it terminates fatally, from cachexia, general 

 enfeeblement and infections resulting from decubitus. 



Sheep. — The disease is rather frequent in the sheep, and 

 is characterized by osseous pains and lameness. The 

 patients may walk on their knees, but owing to the fact that 

 they are generally slaughtered they seldom reach an ad- 

 vanced stage. 



Swine. — In the hog the disease appears early, and may 

 as a consequence be confounded with rachitis. 



Goat. — In the goat, it attacks chiefly the inferior max- 

 illa. The rami are thickened, painful to the touch, and 

 sometimes softened to such an extent that they can be de- 

 pressed with the fingers. The teeth sink in the alveoli as if 

 implanted into India-rubber, and render mastication im- 

 possible. The jaw hangs as if paralyzed, in consequence of 

 arthritis of the temporo-mandibular articulation, which fre- 

 quently complicates the condition. The animals scarcely 

 grow at all, and move about on their knees. Lesions of the 

 joints are wanting, but there is often incurvation of the 

 bones of the extremities. The principal lesions are located 

 in the head, where they reach considerable proportions. 



