PRINCIPLES OF VETERINARY SURGERY 633 



the particular bone analyzed. The maceration and desic- 

 cation considerably diminished the weight of organic sub- 

 stances. The fat and the osseous tissue that fill up the 

 lacun^ after destruction of the osseous lamelljE disappears. 

 The analysis of the desiccated bones gives only the relations 

 that exist between the mineral substance and the ossein 

 without taking into account the enormous amount of fat ac- 

 cumulated in the bones. On the whole there is always a 

 considerable increase in the organic matter, and a diminu- 

 tion in the inorganic substances. 



HISTOLOGICAL LESIONS.— Marcone's histological 

 description of the bones is as follows : 



Short Bones. — The rarefaction of the osseous tissue is 

 marked. Enormous lacunae are developed, especially in the 

 center of the sesamoids. They are round ovoid, or pro- 

 longed, and border upon other smaller ones which com- 

 municate with them. Osseous lamellse are found inclosed 

 in the connective tissue that replaces them. Elsewhere the 

 osseous areolae may be found to have preserved their 

 lamellar structure and to contain zones not colored by 

 safranin, in which the osseous cells appear red. These zones 

 are already decalcified in the living animal. The lacunae 

 contain big central cavities surrounded by a single row of 

 fusiform cells, and round embryonic cells, together with 

 adipose cells. Usually the latter nearly fill up the entire 

 lacunae. The large ones are frequently filled with connec- 

 tive tissue. It is important to note that in the sesamoids, 

 navicular and OS pedis, these lacunas are found not only in 

 the center but also throughout the entire bone, including 

 the parts serving for the attachment of the ligaments, ten- 

 dons, and plantar aponeurosis. 



The long bones that are not decalcified, present exten- 

 sive repletion, increase in volume, and enlargement of the 

 blood vessels. The primitive lamellae ^re markedly altered 



