344 Surgical Diseases and Surgery of the Dog 



earthy salts. While rachitis only affects the immature animal, 

 osteomalacia is essentially a disease of adult life. It is very rare and 

 the cause is unknown but it is believed to follow disturbances of 

 nutrition. Any part of the skeleton may be attacked. Solby refers 

 to some hounds in which the disiease progressively affected one bone 

 after another. 



Symptoms and Diagnosis. The symptoms resemble those of 

 rickets but in addition to the deformity paraplegia may be present 

 and the bones easily fracture. The alveolar margins of the jaws 

 also absorb and the teeth fall out prematurely. 



Treatment. There is no remedial treatment known, and pro- 

 phylactic measures must be depended upon when the disease is 

 recognized. Prophylaxis comprehends a stimulating diet of animal 

 food and administration of such preparations as are indicated for 

 rachitis. 



NEOPLASMS. 



Both innocent and malignant types of tumor occur in bone. 

 The innocent growths consist for the most part of osteoma, chon- 

 droma, and fibroma. The only primary malignant growth met with 

 is sarcoma, carcinoma, when it occurs, being -always secondary. 



Osteoma. True bony tumors may spring from any part of bone, 

 but most often from the periosteum. They are occasionally found 

 attached to the jaw bone, and Mueller refers to an instance observed 

 by himself of one attached to the transverse process of the fifth 

 cervical vertebra. They are also found in other parts of the body. 



Symptoms and Diagnosis. They are recognized as regular, 

 round, hard, insensitive enlargements, sometimes attaining con- 

 siderable dimensions. 



Treatment. Under general anesthesia, such growth is exposed 

 to its base by longitudinal incision and dissection of the skin. It 

 is then removed with the aid of a sharp chisel and mallet, the ex- 

 ternal wound being closed in the usual manner. 



Chondroma. Cartilaginous tumors are found attached to bone. 

 They rarely ossify but may undergo calcification. Gurlt observed 

 them in both the superior and inferior maxillae and on the digits. 



Symptoms and Diagnosis. Chondroma is always firm, round 

 or lobular and well demarked, and grows slowly. 



Treatment. Removal is easily effected by ordinary methods. 



