618 PRINCIPLES OF VETERINARY SURGERY 



During the development of these sudden and movable 

 pains the bones submitted to the most exertion become 

 areolar, and as the entire skeleton is affected with a rarefy- 

 ing osteitis, numerous accidents, such as detachment of 

 tendons and ligaments, fractures and deformities, may oc- 

 cur. The accident which deserves special description, 

 usually takes place in the anatomical structures supporting 

 the greatest weight. The resistance of the bones being 

 diminished, they become incapable of sustaining the attach- 

 ments of the ligaments and tendons, or of serving as levers 

 for the supporting organs. Fracture is the inevitable re- 

 sult. These accidents are regarded by Joly, Jacoulet and 

 Vivien, as the consequence of osteitism. 



Tumefaction of the bones of the head is the only path- 

 ognomonic symptom of the disease, but it is agreed that the 

 nutritive trouble that intensifies the fragility of all the bones, 

 and that which manifests itself by the increase in the size of 

 the bones of the face, are identical. On the other hand, it 

 is certain that many cases of osteitism in young animals are 

 not osteoporosis. 



The different manifestations of the alterations of the 

 bones are as follows: ist. Detachment of ligaments and ten- 

 dons. 2nd. Fractures. 3rd. Tumefaction of the head. 4th. 

 Urinary disturbances. 



I. Detachments of Ligaments and Tendons. — Marcone 

 deserves the credit of having established the role of the os- 

 teitic process through which tendons are torn away from 

 their attachments and bones are fractured. These accidents 

 often occur before it is possible to make a clinical diagnosis 

 of osteoporosis. The only fact connecting these accidents 

 to the disease is their occurrence without violence and in 

 animals in apparent health. Veterinary literature abounds 

 with facts in this connection. Marcone reports the follow- 

 ing cases: 



