182 ON FRAGILITY OF THE BONKS IN CATTLE, 
Almost all the cattle in these districts are more or less predis- 
posed to this disease ; and the period and manner of its appearance 
are influenced by the strength of the animal’s constitution, or the 
treatment which he receives. 
The cure of this fragility of the bones is very difficult, particu- 
larly as it is seldom noticed by the farmer until it has reached its 
height, and some of the bones are already broken. When this is 
the case, there is no hope of cure. If, however, the disease is dis- 
covered while yet in its infancy, and the patient is placed in the 
hands of an educated veterinary surgeon, and not an empiric, there 
are hopes that a cure may be accomplished. 
Should the animal shew any disposition to a reproduction of the 
disease after she has been once cured, she should be carefully fed 
and tended, and fattened for slaughter as speedily as possible. 
If the malady evidently originates in weakness of the digestion, 
suppression of milk, incomplete formation of the blood, an acid 
state of the humours, general weakness of the whole frame, and of 
the bony system in particular, the best medicines to be given are 
those which are termed bitters and aromatics. They are, in fact, 
the only things that do good ; and if accompanied by strict atten- 
tion to cleanliness and ventilation, and the animals are regularly 
exercised in the open air, and rubbed down or brushed all over 
every day, and a moderate quantity of salt is mingled with their 
food or drink, the result will usually be favourable. Considerable 
care should be extended to those animals which appear to be in 
good condition ; they should have dry and nourishing food, and 
every thing which would tend to loosen or weaken the bowels 
should be carefully avoided. 
I agree with Herr Brunck, that the only way to eradicate this 
malady, is to build new cow-houses in more healthy situations — to 
pay great attention to cleanliness and ventilation — to allow the 
animals exercise in the open air every day that the weather will 
permit — and to do away with the present system of feeding, and 
give only dry nourishing food and pure cold water. 
A great advantage would be derived in large farms from a well 
or spring being contrived in the neighbourhood of the dairy, and 
the cows being allowed daily access to it, and enjoyment of exercise 
in the open air. 
There have been more quack medicines recommended as certain 
cures for fragility of the bones than for any other disease ; and, in 
spite of their vaunted infallibility, they all fail. The quack fills 
his purse, and the poor farmer loses his money and his cattle. It 
is much to be lamented that the law has no power to punish these 
impostors. 
Magazin fur die gesammte Thierheilkunde y 1838, p. 329. 
