Etiology, Anatomical Changes, Symptoms. 965 



in its course the debility progresses much more rapidly than 

 the pathological process in the bones. 



Anatomical Changes. In far advanced stages of the dis- 

 ease there occur severe anemia and emaciation, with complete 

 atrophy of' the fatty tissue, muscular atrophy and atrophy of 

 glandular organs. Ostertag & Zuntz also demonstrated atrophy 

 and rarification of the compact bony tissue, with otherwise nor- 

 mal chemical composition of the bones, also a brittleness of the 

 ribs. 



Symptoms. At first the desire to eat is diminished, rumina- 

 tion is slow, defecation arrested. The aberrations in taste or 

 the peculiar characteristic phenomena appear only after these 

 symptoms, increasing gradually and assuming the form which 

 has been described in the chapter on osteomalacia (page 957). 

 Together with the lessened desire to eat, emaciation, timidity 

 and an increased sensibility become manifest in the animals. 

 Pregnant cows often abort during the disease. The symptoms 

 persist for 2-4 months, according to the severity of the disease, 

 lead gradually to cachexia and finally the animals die of starva- 

 tion. 



Course and Prognosis-. The affection always takes a 

 chronic course and extends over few to several months, some- 

 times even a year and more, during which time temporary 

 remissions in the symptoms may take place. If no change is 

 made in the hygienic conditions, fatal termination is the usual 

 outcome, but otherwise licking disease may be cured, except in 

 very severe cases with marked cachexia. 



Treatment. A positive result can be expected only from 

 pasturing, although the improvement will make only slow 

 progress. In several instances a favorable influence was 

 observed from a change of feed, the addition of linseed or 

 linseed cake, or feeding with slops, carrots, molasses (Klein- 

 paul) causing the symptoms to diminish. On the other hand, 

 Ostertag & Zuntz found the admixture of highly nutritious food- 

 stuffs or of nutritive salts to the injurious hay useless, and also 

 apomorphine, which, however, was employed by some veterina- 

 rians (Hackl, Eeindl, Lemke) with lasting success, by Klein- 

 paul with only transitory benefit. The remedy was given hypo- 

 dermically ; to adult cattle and to calves in doses of 0.10-0.20 gm. 

 daily three times, for three days (Kleinpaul; to horses three 

 times daily with 3-day intervals (Hillebrand). (After the 

 injection calves must be put in a closed place in order to prevent 

 their injuring themselves, because apomorphine produces in 

 them a very decided excitement [Kleinpaul] ). 



If the disease is associated with osteomalacia, the treatment 

 described for this disease is indicated (page 961). 



