630 VETEEINAEY HYGIENE 



of the poor and rich are each equally liable, while in the 

 non-affected districts no unfavourable surroundings or con- 

 ditions produce the disease. 



Elliot observes that the native horse is as liable as the 

 imported animal to contract the disease, an interesting ob- 

 servation showing that there is nothing in the nature of an 

 acquired immunity established. Yet he suggests the disease 

 is microbic, and shows how in the infected district certain 

 stables may escape while neighbouring ones suffer severely. 

 Attempts to transmit the disease by inoculation have failed, 

 though destruction of the affected animals in a stable has 

 been followed by a cessation of the disease. 



In South Africa the disease is well known, though except- 

 ing in one or two places is not common. It has been 

 studied clinically by Captain Lane, A.V.D., who regards it 

 as of dietetic origin, and due to the deficiency of lime-salts 

 in the food. Particularly does he blame oat hay grown in 

 a certain district. A change of diet, with especially the 

 introduction of green food, has been found of the greatest 

 benefit, also a change of locality. The influence of rainfall 

 is not apparent in South Africa as in Hawaii ; in fact, the 

 disease occurred severely in one of the driest portions of the 

 Colony, and at a time when there had been no good rains 

 for two years. Eace-horses in South Africa are known to 

 suffer, and as these are, presumably, under the best condi- 

 tions as regards feeding, it is certain that we have yet a 

 deal more to learn about the disease. Personally, we regard 

 the affection as microbic. 



EPIZOOTIC OSTEO-MALACIA. 



This disease has been fully described by Dr. Hutcheon,* 

 whom we follow in the following condensed account. 



In the first instance it is important to note that 

 Hutcheon regards it as a dietetic disease, and due to the 

 absence of certain inorganic salts from the food. We lay 



* Report of the Colonial Veterinary Surgeon, Cape of Good Hope, 

 1903. 



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