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setoning, the animal should be rested, and fed for a fortnight on a cooling 

 laxative diet, and a shoe with high heels should be applied. After the 

 wound is healed, the part may be smartly blistered. Some horsemen are 

 very fond of corrosive applications, such as those composed of corrosive 

 sublimate, dissolved in spirit ; but these, although often useful and 

 efficacious, sometimes destroy the skin, and thus cause a blemish. 



SORE SHINS. 

 By the term " sore shins," we signify a disease of the canon-bone and its 

 covering, usually affecting its lower and front part, and only differing from a 

 splint, in that it affects another portion of the bone. In some instances, the 

 affection involves the whole length of the canon-bone. Like splint 

 formations, this disease also is mainly due to concussion, and is likewise- 

 especially common in young animals, worked before the bones are matured. 

 Sometimes all four canon-bones are diseased ; but, as a rule, the affection is 

 present only in the fore legs, as these necessarily are more liable to suffer 

 from shock, than the hind ones. It has been noticed that the leg, witli 

 which the animal leads in the gallop, is more often affected, than the other 

 ones. Sore shins are rarely met with excepting in young race-horses,, 

 among which it is a common disease. 



The lameness occasioned by sore shins is insidious. The animal is at 

 first observed to step somewhat short. Unless the disease be arrested, as 

 soon as the first symptoms appear, by rest and treatment, the lameness 

 becomes very marked indeed, and constitutional symptoms are manifested.. 

 When the inflammation is severe, the pulse is increased, and swelling at the 

 lower third of the canon bone appears. When handled, this will be noticed 

 to be soft, elastic, and very tender to the touch. In very severe cases, 

 unless active measures be taken, necrosis or death of the bone may ensue,, 

 and the disease may even prove fatal. In less extensive disease, the swelling, 

 is circumscribed, and afterwards becomes quite hard. 



In ca'ses of sore shins, a purgative should be given, and the diet should 

 be laxative. If the disease is not very severe, cold applications should be- 

 assiduously applied, and these should afterwards give place to a smart 

 blister. In very severe cases, it is necessary to cut through the inflamed 

 covering of the bone. Fomentations of warm water, with applications of 

 antiseptic lotions (carbolic acid one part, water twenty parts), are then- 

 necessary."^ As the inflammation subsides, blisters are called for. In 

 cutting down upon the canon-bone, the veterinary surgeon must be careful 

 not to injure the tendons. 



When the disease is cured, it is very essential that the animal be rested, 

 for a time, and then put into work gradually. The exercise. at first should 

 be on soft ground, and the animal should not be allowed to gallop much 

 until he is well able to bear it. 



*Mr. Charles Gresswell, of Nottingham, -who has had large experience in the treatment of sore- 

 shins, especially recomm.ends the ointment of boracic acid. 



