DISEASES AND TREATMENT OF THE HORSE. 193 



ness out of the splint, after this blister to remove the enlarg'ement. 

 Use the following blister : 



Vaseline or lard 1 ounce. 



Biniodid of Mercury or Red Precipitate 1 dram. 



Powdered Cantharides or Spanish Fly 1 dram. 



Mix thoroughly together and there will be enough to blister 

 an ordinary splint three times. If there is much hair on the 

 splint clip it off" and apply one-third of the blister ; the more you 

 rub it in the better the blister works ; tie his head a little short for 

 a few hours so he cannot get down to bite the blistered part ; let 

 this stand for three days, then grease the blistered part with 

 vaseline or lard, then let it go for two or three weeks after the 

 first blister and blister again, and follow out the same directions 

 as in the first blister, and, if it is not all gone, blister the third 

 time in two or three weeks more. 



SORE SHINS. 



This is inflammation of the covering of the shin or 

 metacarpal bones and nearly always affects the front legs, but some- 

 times affects the shin or metatarsus bones in the hind legs. This is 

 more common in some parts of the country, and is generally seeni 

 in young race or trotting horses that are put to severe exertion. 



Causes. — it is from hard and continual driving in training 

 young horses for races ; from a continual steady strain on the 

 legs, it sets up an inflammation in the covering of the shin bones ; 

 or from taking a colt out of the pasture field and putting him to 

 too hard work when he is not used to it; or from running and 

 striking the front of the shins against anything. 



Symptoms. — They are very plain. The colt is very lame at 

 first, and in examining him, if you run your hand down over the 

 shins, you will find them very sore and hot. He will flinch and 

 jump away from you when you press on the parts affected; and 

 in trotting he drops his head similar to splint lameness. If it is 

 allowed to run without being treated, a thickness will soon appear 

 in front of the shin bones where the soreness was. 



Treatment. — Give the animal as much rest as you can. If in 

 the summer, bathe with cold water and salt. If in the winter, 

 bathe with warm water and salt. After bathing twice a day, rob 

 dry and apply white liniment. After you get the soreness and 

 inflammation out by bathing and using the liniment, blister him tc 

 take down the enlargement. Use the same blister and same 

 directions as is given in treatment of splints. 



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