98 CAUSES, SYMPTOMa AND TREATMENT OF 



make an incison through the periosteum, then foment and poultice, and, 

 perhaps in some days after, bHster. Some recommend a seaton instead 

 of a blister. There is no necessity for blemishing an animal for splint. 

 Such a cure is often worse than the disease. There may be cases where 

 it is necessary to use the bone forceps, or the bone saw, or if a spiculum 

 of bone projects, cut down and scrape it. There are dififerent opinions 

 as to whether splint is or is not an unsoundness. If I find a splint in 

 the usual place, with no pain nor lameness, and not likely to become 

 lame, I would pass him as sound ; but if a splint is well marked, I 

 might mention it to the party, and say it is not likely to ever lame the 

 animal. But if you find a splint close to the joint, in a horse four or 

 five years old, although he is not lame, I would not pass him as sound. 

 Take into consideration the form of the limb, the place of the splint, 

 etc. 



Sore Shins. — Inflammation of the periosteum of the metacarpal 

 bones. This inflammation more of a diffused character than in 

 splints. It is common in some parts of the country, and is. becoming 

 more common in racing horses. It is rarely met with in horses used for 

 ordinary purposes. 



Pathology. — Inflammation is set up in the periosteum. The result is 

 an exudation between the periosteum and the bone, and not only this, 

 but between the periosteum and the areolar tissue, with which it is in 

 close connection ; thickening of the periosteum ; and if the exciting 

 cause is kept up, it may cause partial necrosis of the metacarpal bone ; 

 but this is rare. 



Causes are violent and continued concussion, to which horses are sub- 

 jected in training, particularly young horses, in which the periosteum is 

 very vascular. It may occur in old horses, but usually in young ani- 

 mals. Predisposing causes — taking a colt in a heavy gross condition ; 

 putting him to work without first getting in condition for it, by a dose of 

 physic or exercise. The concussion sets up this irritation. 



Symptoms are very plafn after a time, but at first it is hard to account 

 for the lameness. The lameness is seen some time after the exercise. 

 The inflammatory action becomes more severe if the exciting causes are 

 kept up. He drops very much the same as in splint, and you can notice 

 an enlargement on the front of the bone. Pressure upon it causes pain. 

 There is increased temperature of the parts. If the exciting cause goes 

 on, the exudation increases more and more, and the animal suffers great 

 pain. I have seen some so severe that, after being handled once or 

 twice, if you but pointed at it, the animal would run back. Sometimes 

 one and sometimes both limbs are affected. There is a peculiar action. 

 I have seen horses severely blistered upon the shoulder when nothing 

 was the matter but sore Fhins. By and by the- exudation becomes organ- 

 ized, producing a well marked case. This exudation will always remain, 

 which can be detected by examining ; but the lameness ceases, and it is 

 not counted an unsoundness. 



Treatment. — If taken in the early stage, it is easy to reduce the inflam- 

 matory action. Give rest ; give laxative medicine in some cases. If the 

 animal has been fed upon stimulating diet, change it. Apply cold to the 

 parts. Give nitrate of potash, one ounce ; salammoniac, one ounce, in 

 water. Use acetate of lead, and if there is much pain, combine it with 

 opium ; or use equal parts of the tincture of opium, camphor and arnica. 

 After the pain and inflammation are relieved, apply a blister, which will 

 relieve it better than anything else — and I cannot recommend any better 

 blister than biniodide of mercury, one part, to four, five or six of lard, 

 according to the case, and rub in well, and let it extend up the limb for 



