PREVENTION, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 



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occurs on the slightest provocation. This condition gives the names 

 " fragilitas ossium " or " osteoclastia " to the disease, but bone 

 brittleness may occur in atrophy of old age, in rickets, and in rare- 

 fying osteitis of other conditions, as spavin and ringbone. Then, 

 at other stages of the disease under consideration, the bones become 

 wholly soft and deformity occurs, as seen in the face of horses and 

 sometimes in the pelvis of cows. Finally, owing to rarefying osteitis 

 and the disappearance of lime salts from the shafts of the bones, 

 they assume a spongy appearance — hence the name osteoporosis. 



To avoid, therefore, the confusion caused by such a variety 

 of terms we prefer to use the word osteomalacia, which properly in- 

 cludes the various pathological conditions to which these separate 

 names have been given. 



The immediate exciting cause of the disease is unknown. It 

 is apparently favored, however, by several known causes. Thus 

 animals living on soils deficient in lime salts, or on food grown on 

 them, appear to suffer, and the disease is thus frequently enzootic. 

 But, on the other hand, in horses, the disease has been seen in ani- 

 mals which were fed with most excellent food. In cattle, preg- 

 nancy and lactation seem to be most important factors, as in the 

 human. Damp surroundings, poor hygiene and poor food predis- 

 pose. 



Symptoms. — Four phases of the disease are apparent : 1. In the 

 preliminary stage there are general indisposition, debility, capri- 

 cious or depraved appetite (cattle), and harsh, rough coat and poor 

 condition. These symptoms are naturally insufficient to enable 

 one to make a diagnosis. 2. There are pain, swelling, heat and ten- 

 derness of the joints and disinclination to move. Cattle often lie 

 for 24 hours at a time. Horses go lame and stumble. Emaciation, 

 anorexia and fever are present. 3. Fractures, and perhaps de- 

 formity — owing to bending of the softened bones — occur. In ordi- 

 nary movements, as in trotting, bones suddenly break. A horse 

 in falling may break every rib on one side. In cattle, the pelvis, 



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