OSTEO-MAtACIA IN OTHER ANIMAI^S. 



The internal softening and rarefaction of bones in mature 

 animals has been noted in dogs by Pillvax and Roll, in lambs by 

 Haubner, in pigs by Haubner and Anaker, and in goats by differ- 

 ent observers. The genuineness of these cases has been ques- 

 tioned by Cadiot and I^eclainche, by Virchow and by others, but 

 in the present uncertainty as to the dividing lines between rare- 

 faction, rachitis and other diseases, they deserve notice in this con- 

 nection. 



In dogs the lesions are mostly in the young and are largely ra- 

 chitic, yet the enormous swelling of the facial bones, and especial- 

 ly of the superior maxillary in the comparatively mature animal 

 suggests osteo-malacia. As in rachitis there are usually impair- 

 ed digestion, unthriftiness, slow, stiff movements and lack of life 

 and vigor. 



In goats Virchow believes the disease to be neither rachitic 

 nor osteo-malacia, basing his opinion on the lesions in the bones: 

 "On the maxillary bones of goats there are often found peculiar 

 formations in which the parts that have already assumed osseous 

 structure, have failed to fix the earthy salts. The tumor, which 

 forms a circumscribed swelling on the upper or lower maxillary 

 bone, is soft and easily cut with the scalpel, with at certain points 

 only, a hard resistant material. It is a simple osteoid chondroma, 

 though veterinarians for some reasons associate it with rheuma- 

 tism." Profuse salivation is present. 



In lambs it is according to Haubner an atrophy with 

 destructive ulceration of the bones of the face, complicated by 

 purulent infiltration of the medullary spaces. "The incisors, 

 and later the molars, , fall one by one, because of the changes 

 in the alveoli, the gums swell, become violet, red, and ulcerate, 

 the ulcers extending through the hard palate into the nose, and 

 causing a highly offensive discharge from both nose and mouth. 



\v\. pigs the disease has been mainly seen in connection with in- 

 sufficient or unwholesome food, and badly balanced rations, and 

 especially with fermented swill and an exclusive maize diet. The 

 symptoms are shown in the limbs and face, especially ( ' 'snuffles' ' ) , 

 as noted under rachitis. 



Prevention and treatment are to be sought in avoidance of the 

 obvious causes, and in applying the same line of tonic treatment 

 as in the larger animals. 

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