The former place of execution of the Lucerne herd in Emmen (1562-1798) (1562-1798) and slaughter yard belonging to it (1562-1866) : pathologico-anatomic findings in excavated animal bones
Hani, H.; Lang, J.; Ueltschi, G.
Schweizer Archiv für Tierheilkunde 136(1): 24-37
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0036-7281 PMID: 8122088 Document Number: 431960
During archaeological excavations of the former knackers yard in Emmen (Canton Lucerne) skeletons and individual bones of more than 700 animals were recovered. 110 bone samples (100 were from horses, 9 from dogs and only one from cattle) had lesions and were examined macroscopically and radiologically. According to morphological and aetiopathogenetical criteria, lesions are presented in the following groups: tooth irregularities (10), degenerative changes in bones and joints due to overload and aging (80), trauma and infection (10), other lesions (10). Over 80% of pathological bone samples presented degenerative changes: spondylosis and spondylarthrosis, arthropathies (mainly spavin and ringbone in horses) and ossifying periostitis due to mechanical stress (periostitis of phalanx I and periostitis of the dorsal cortex of the third metacarpal bone). Bone disorders are shown in 18 figures including photos and radiographs.