190 DISEASES OF .METABOLISM OF BONES 



shafts of the bone bent. The periosteum also proliferates, 

 forming periosteal enlargements. 



Symptoms. — The symptoms of rachitis are those of de- 

 formity of the bone such as enlargement in the region of the 

 joints and bending of the shafts particularly of the bones of 

 the extremities. The patient therefore appears coarse- 

 jointed, bow-legged, or on the other hand, cow-hocked or 

 knock-kneed. The deformity may also involve the back, 

 causing lordosis (sway back) or kyphosis (roach-back) or 

 scoliosis (bent sideward). The pelvis may also be deformed 

 and the bones of the face thickened and distorted. As usually 

 a chronic rhinitis attends the facial deformity there is nasal 

 discharge with wheezy respirations. In Germany this form 

 of rachitis is spoken of as the "sniffle disease." Along the 

 course of the ribs at their cartilaginous unions appears a row 

 of nodules. These are spoken o'f as the "rosary." Occasion- 

 ally rickets affects the phalangeal articulations, causing ring- 

 bone-like enlargements. The patients usually remain 

 stunted, grow pot-bellied and are unthrifty. They are quite 

 often stiff and lame. The shedding of the milk-teeth is post- 

 poned, teeth diseases are common and eczemas of the skin 

 frequent. While some of the young animals retain their 

 flesh, as a rule they grow thin and emaciated. 



Prognosis. — The disease is rarely fatal but often leaves the 

 patient unthrifty and more or less deformed. 



Treatment. — One of the commonest treatments for rachitis 

 in animals is phosphorus. It should be given in the form of 

 the oil of phosphorus in small doses (H. & C. gr. $-f and S. 

 gr. -j^) . For small animals pills (gr. lins) m ay be substituted. 

 Powdered carbonate of lime which may be fed with milk is 

 also recommended. Usually, unless the disease has advanced 

 too far, turning the animal out to pasture and allowing plenty 

 of good nutritious food suffice not only to check but cure it. 



OSTEOPOROSIS. OSTEOMALACIA. 



Definition. — Osteoporosis is a disease marked by increased 

 softness of the bones so that they become frangible and brittle 

 in consequence of a resorption of the lime content. 



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