164 THE STOCK owner's ADVISER. 



of a gelatinous condition, forming a coagulum like the white of 

 an egg; then it becomes a soft, flexible cartilage, and nltimately 

 forms bone. 



Inflammation ma}' be excited by many causes, but the most 

 prolific cause is injury, either direct or indirect. It is also pro- 

 duced by constitutional tendency. In joints the articular carti- 

 lages are often destroyed by inflammation, and osseous material 

 is thrown out, producing anchylosis, which means a union of the' 

 bones composing the joint; a stiff or completely immovable joint 

 is the result. 



OSTITIS AND PERIOSTITIS OF THE METACARPAL BONES, OR 



SORE SHINS. 



This disease affects the anterior surface of the metacarpal 

 bones of young animals. It is more commonly seen in young 

 race horses, under four years old, and is due to the fact that they 

 are called upon to perform an amount of work at an age when 

 they are totally unable to endure the shocks of concussion risked 

 by such work. The leg with which the animal leads in the gallop 

 is more frequently affected, though both legs may be affected. 

 The whole shaft of the bone may be affected, and this may be so 

 excessive as to cause necrosis, but it is usually circumscribed and 

 confined to the lower extremities. 



Symptoms. — Lameness occurring after a gallop; slight at first; 

 the horse is rested by the shifting of the legs, pointing the foot, 

 if only one is affected; fever, increased respiration, swelling, pain 

 upon pressure. The swelling is doughy to the touch, depending 

 on the thickening of the periosteum and on the presence of the 

 subperiosteal exudate. 



Active treatment must be emj^loyed in order to prevent necro- 

 sis. If of an acute nature, free subcutaneous incisions through 

 the periosteum should be employed; this will relieve pain and cut 

 short the disease. In addition to this warm and soothing fomen- 

 tation should be used, succeeded by cold, and afterwards by a 

 liniment composed of equal parts of ammonia, turpentine, and 



