364 



Journal of Agriculture. 



[8 June, 1907. 



LAMENESS IN HORSES. 



.S". .S". Cameron, M.R.C.V.S., Cl/ief Veter'niary Officer. 

 {Coiit'nuied from page 2"] 2.) 



SORE SHINS. 



The condition known as " sore shins " consists of diffuse inflamination 

 of the bone covering or periosteum at the lower third of the cannon bone. 

 It usually affects the cannons of both fore limbs and extends all round 

 the bone, but is most severe in front. The parts are at first hot and tender 

 to the touch and a soft fluctuating swelling develops. Subsequently the 

 swelling becomes doughy (oedematous) and if it, and the inflammation 

 which gives rise to it. are allowed to persist a deposition of bone takes 

 place and the swelling hardens and becomes permanent. (See Figs. 22 

 and 23.) 



Causes. — Sore shins takes the place in racehorses of splints in road- 

 sters and trotters. The affection is almost solelv confined to young 



ijjs. 22 anci 



23. Sore shins; the arrows indicate the pernranent bony enh\rgements. 



racehorses and is essentially an effect of the over-strenuous exertion in\ol\t'd 

 in the training of immature and growing two- and three-year-olds. When 

 extended in the gallop the concussive shock of the body-w-eight when the 

 foot is brought to the ground is, on account of the sloping angle of the 

 l)astern at the moment of contact, transmitted to the lower extremity of 

 the cannon bone just aV)ove the fetlock. (It has l:>een explained that in 

 trotting the weight shock is sustained, on account of the more upright 

 action, by the splint bones just below the knee.) 



