Inflammation of the Bones, 215 



CHAPTER YIII. 



DISEASES OF THE LEG. 



Inflammation of the Bones. 



Sore Shins — Inflammation of the Metacarpal Bones, 



Splints or Splents. 



Ring Bones. 



Bog Spavin — Blood Spavin — Inflammation of the Hock 



Joint. 

 Bone Spavin. 

 Thorough-Pin, 

 Capped Iloch, 

 Side Bones, 



INFLAMMATION OF THE BONES— OSTITIS -PERIOSTITIS. 



The bones of the leg, and their covering, called the ^^ peri- 

 osteum,^' are liable to become inflamed, and to lead to sever- 

 al varieties of lameness, which we shall examine in order. 



INFLAMMATION OF THE METACAEPAL BONES— SORE SHINS. 



This form of inflammation of the bones afiects young 

 horses, particularly race horses under four years old, and is 

 due to the fact that they are so often violently overworked. 



Symptoms, — Lameness of the leg ; swellings of an elastic, 

 tense and doughy feeling over the shin bone ; tenderness and 

 heat on pressure; sometimes slight general fever. The 

 swelling may become very prominent, and tend to break ex- 

 ternally, but it always preserves its elastic feel ; or, it may 

 remain small and gradually become quite hard, changing 

 into bony matter, and the pain disappears. 



Treatment. — If the swelling is decided and the pain 

 severe, a narrow-bladed bistoury should be introduced be- 

 neath the skin, and the periosteum freely cut, so as to allow 



