274 THE “ NASAL DISEASE” IN HORSES. 
late of the London Veterinary College, who in I860 described 
the disease, objects to the term osteoporosis as a fitting desig¬ 
nation, saying, at page 651 of the Veterinarian for I860, 
“ Osteoporosis most correctly applies to the peculiar changes 
that had taken place in some parts of the bones of these 
horses, and to such an extent that we might almost venture, 
were it not for the altered specific gravity, to designate the 
disease by that term. But there are other portions in some 
of the bones that are evidently otherwise affected, and in 
which the morbid change is quite dissimilar/’ The same 
writer likewise objects to the term mollities ossium , and sug¬ 
gests that of fatty degeneration, in accordance with the ob¬ 
servations of Sir James Paget. But all the forms of atrophy 
alluded to by the last-named eminent author occur in matured 
or in old age, although he adds, “ I feel, however, that there 
is still much doubt respecting the relations of these affec¬ 
tions ; they are, perhaps, more nearly allied than, at first sight, 
they may seem; and I think some clue to their alliance may 
be obtained from the relation which they both have to the 
rickets of the young subject.” Even Rokitansky says much 
chemical investigation is required yet before we can give any 
conclusive statement. Wisely, then, we should, like Mr. 
Varnell, in all we say and write upon the subject, be for the 
present “ more interrogatory than assertive.” 
Although the disease may not be identical with what is 
described as osteoporosis , nor yet a true fatty degeneration, 
this much is almost certain, that the affection as seen here, 
in many young horses, is the same disease essentially that 
was described by Mr. Varnell, and transferred to Williams’s 
text-book. The symptoms and post-mortem appearances, as 
described, closely agree with those observed here. The de¬ 
fective action in joint or limb, one after another of all four 
limbs becoming attacked, the tenderness, heat of joints, rigid 
loins, pain of back, enlarged facial regions, at first appetite 
and pulse not greatly disturbed, after a while constitutional 
disturbance, irritation, loss of appetite, and emaciation, 1 
denoted unmistakably the true character being alike in both 
cases. Other general states of health also bear out the 
analogy. Again, when Mr. Varnell first saw the horses and 
was asked about the treatment, he says —“ Not having the 
slightest idea of the cause which had given rise to the 
malady, and not understanding its pathology fully, I was 
unable to answer the question satisfactorily.” Here, vete¬ 
rinary surgeons and medical men were all alike in precisely 
the same state of doubt and incertitude, whether they 
candidly said so or not. This also supplies another proof of 
