I 
582 GEO. H. BERNS. 
Locally, fomentations and anodyne embrocations should be 
applied. The application of blisters during the acute stage 
is of doubtful utility and I belive the practice pernicious, as it 
tends to increase the pain and consequent restlessness—factors 
to be combatted. During cold and damp weather the requisite 
amount of heat should be kept to inflamed joints by flannel 
bandages and a dry, well-bedded box insisted upon for the 
foal and dam’s occupancy. 
If the urachus is pervious it should be taken up and liga¬ 
tured according to the rules usually laid down for that 
operation. Should abscesses forms the care and treatment re¬ 
quire no special mention. And lastly, the condition of the 
dam should be scrutinized and if there is reason to believe 
that the milk is deleterious in quality the colt should be taken 
from its mother and placed on another mare or fed cow’s 
milk. 
0STE0-P0R0SIS. 
By De. Geo. H. Berns. 
(A Paper read before the Long Island Veterinary Society.) 
Among the many diseases that a practising veterinarian 
meets with, I know of none that terminates more unsatisfac¬ 
torily to the owners of live stock, and is more annoying and 
of less credit to the practitioner than the complaint known 
as osteo-po?'osis , or big head. 
Hundreds of animals are annually lost in this city alone, 
from this disease, and the veterinarian when called in has, in 
the majority of instances, but little difficulty to diagnose the 
cases, but unfortunately that is all he can do. He can be of 
little service to the animal, and from our present knowledge 
cannot even give the owner satisfactory information as to its 
probable causes, nor advise preventative measures. An inter¬ 
change of views and free discussion upon this subject by the 
members of this Society will no doubt bring out many points 
of interest and value, and with this object in view I have pre¬ 
pared these few lines. 
Upon symptoms, except a few premonitory ones, I will 
1 
