466 FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 



it is questionable whether it should be meddled with for the purpose of 

 removal, except when it causes lameness or otherwise injures the animal. 

 In my own opinion it should not, as I believe it is an evident effort of nature 

 to strengthen the leg and render it capable of sustaining the strain imposed 

 upon it, so can only be looked upon as an eye sore, for the time being, and 

 when the time comes for the connection between the bones to become ossified 

 (converted into bone), the part thus strengthened, and the splint being of no 

 farther use, is removed by natural absorption. This is one reason why 

 splints are so seldom found in old horses. But on the other hand, when it 

 does cause lameness, or from its situation is likely to, or if it in any way 

 interferes with the usefulness of the animal, then another view must be 

 taken and treatment resorted to, which must necessarily vary according to 

 circumstances. 



The symptoms in the majority of instances are very plain, there 

 being a well-marked irregularity in the otherwise smooth surface of the 

 part. This enlargement varies considerably in size, from say a pea to a 

 walnut, and may or may not be accompanied by lameness. It often happens 

 when a splint is first forming, and the bony matter is thrown out quickly, 

 that although the enlargement is scarcely perceptible, yet the lameness may 

 be intense, which may be accounted for, however, from the fact that the cover- 

 ing of the bone (the periostium) is an inelastic membrane, and being 

 severely pressed upon by the deposit underneath it the irritation gives rise 

 to inflammation. It has been likened to a tight-fitting boot pressing upon 

 an inflamed corn — the inelastic leather being compared with the periostium. 

 This state of affairs gives rise to lameness which is peculiar and char- 

 acteristic, and sometimes precedes the enlargement. The animal, after 

 a day or two's rest, will come out of its stable almost sound, but when com- 

 pelled to trot for a time will go lame, which increases on progression. A 

 horse lame from splint will walk sound, or nearly so; but the very evident 

 nodding of the head when trotted is out of all proportion to the scarcely 

 perceptible lameness of the walking gait. 



Horses lame from this disease will be further noticed to trot in a peculiar 

 three-cornered sort of way, giving one the idea of what is sometimes called a 

 " dog-trot." No doubt going in this sort of way somewhat modifies the 

 extreme flexions of the knee. Pressure upon the part with the ends of the 

 fingers causes pain, sometimes causing such agony as to force the animal to 

 stand upon its hind legs. In some extreme cases, when first forming, the 

 pain may be so great that the unfortunate creature is unable to bear any 

 weight upon the limb, and will stand with its toe merely touching the 

 ground. In such cases prompt remedies are often advisable, and an incision 

 through the covering of the bone will sometimes afford instantaneous relief. 

 When this disease is situated as high up as to affect the bones of the knee 

 joint it has been described as spavin in the fore leg, but this term is hardly 

 admitted in scientific veterinary works of the present day. When the dis- 

 ease is high enough up to affect the bones of the knee the lameness is often 

 of a very intractable nature. 



The Treatment 



of this disease, when it is resorted to, must depend a great deal upon cir- 

 cumstances, la olden times all sorts of absurd and even cruel practices 



