GENERAL PART OF EXAMINATION. 43 



the head, neck and limbs. High fever; dysphagia. Patients re- 

 main lying with head drawn back (opisthotonus). 



Parturient paresis (milk fever). See page 38. 



Rachitis and osteomalacia. Both of these diseases are char- 

 acterized by the bones being deficient in lime salts. Such bones 



Fig. 7.— Rachitic Dog. 



possess little power of sustaining weight, hence they suffer change 

 in form when weight of the body must be borne by them. 



a. Rachitis appears only in young animals, mostly in pigs 

 and puppies. Pathologically the disease may be considered to be 

 a remaining softness of the bones, the epiphyses becoming en- 

 larged, the diaphyses bent. An upward curvature of the spine <^*> 



is called kyphosis, a downward '*■■' lordosis, a lateral J scoliosis. 

 Animals suffering from rachitis remain lying a great deal, find 

 trouble in regaining their feet, and locomotion is difficult. 



b. Osteomalacia. Fragility of the bones is seen only in adult 

 animals (cattle). The animals lie down continually, are weak, eat 

 but little, and become thin in flesh. The bones of the extremities 

 become brittle; spontaneous fractures, decubitus, and death ensue. 



3. The Skin. 



The condition of the skin indicates the state of health. 

 The condition of the skin is affected not only in local diseases 



