PRINCIPLES OF VETERINARY SURGERY 623 



Deformities of the Head. — In spite of the generalization 

 of the process throughout the entire skeleton, it is evident 

 that some bones exhibit preponderating lesions. Some ani- 

 mals may present ligamentous detachments without tume- 

 faction of the skull bones, vi^hile others exhibit the tumefac- 

 tion of the facial bones as the most conspicuous phenome- 

 non during the entire development of the disease. These 

 deformities appear to be chiefly expressions of the old 

 chronic case. The lively petulant animals seem to be most 

 susceptible to detachment of the ligaments and to frac- 

 tures. The shape of the body and the distribution of 

 strength may have some influence in the causation of the 

 secondary lesions, — fractures, detachments, and deformities 

 of the head. The gravity of the disease and the reparation 

 from the periphery or the center of the bones must also be 

 taken into account. 



The participation of the facial bones in the generalized 

 inflammation of the skeleton is proven by the fact that the 

 animals can no longer eat hay w^ithout rejecting quids into 

 *he manger at each meal, but will easily swallow grass, 

 bran, oats and cooked potatoes. 



An examination of the head reveals a striking roundness 

 and enlargement of the face. The depressions on the supe- 

 rior maxillary are filled up, and the head in its entirety 

 looks enormous. On palpation each branch of the inferior 

 maxilla is found hypertrophied to the extent of diminish- 

 ing the cavity between them into a narrow cleft, through 

 which the fingers can scarcely be inserted. The projection 

 of the maxillaries gives the head the appearance of the 

 muzzle of the ox. Closer examinations will then reveal 

 similar alterations in different parts of the head. 



There is slight pain on pressure and an examination of 

 the mouth reveals the teeth regularly implanted in the max- 

 illaries, but considerably encroached upon by the bone, and 



