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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, with 
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 cases 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 voursinaty surgeon must be carefub 
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 recommends the ointment of boracic acid. 
