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DISEASES OF THE DOMESTIC ANIMALS 



cation to the splint of red mercuric biniodide ointment (i-8-io) 

 every third day, until vesication occurs and the hair begins to drop, 

 is indicated while the animal is being worked. 



Splints often disappear, the exostosis being absorbed. In cases 

 with marked lameness, firing in points at two places, with the appli- 

 cation afterwards of cantharidal ointment (1-6) and rest for sev- 

 eral weeks, are in order. If lameness is not then relieved the animal 

 should be sent to pasture. In acute cases periosteotomy may be of 

 much benefit. A tranverse incision below the splint on the co- 

 cainized, shaved and aseptic part is made. Then a vertical incision 

 through the periosteum over the splint is done, and the part ban- 

 daged, and the animal kept at rest for ten days. If the splint inter- 

 feres with the tendon, or is struck by the opposite leg, it may be 

 chiselled away under aseptic precautions. Otherwise necrosis of 

 the bone may ensue. A boot applied over the splint should, how- 

 ever, first be used in the case of striking of the splint. 



Median neurectomy is rarely required and should only be used 

 as a last resort. 



In sore shins, seen in young race-horses with diffuse, tender 

 swelling of the front of the cannon bone, recovery takes place on 

 blistering and rest. 



Osteomalacia — Osteoporosis — Fragilitas Ossium — Osteoclastia — 

 Osseous Cachexia. 



Under this head is included that constitutional disease of 

 horses, cattle, pigs, sheep, goats and dogs characterized by soften- 

 ing, fragility and deformity of bones in adult animals, accompanied 

 by changes in structure in which absence of lime salts is most 

 notable. A great deal of confusion in terms has arisen, since the 

 same condition has been described under different names, as above, 

 by various authors. In the disease under discussion — owing to the 

 lack of lime salts — the bones become softened and the medullary 

 canal enlarged, and, in case only an outer bony shell exists, fracture 



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