j ourual of Aiiriciilture. 



[8 May, 1907 



that, except in the hands of an experienced practitioner, its use cannot 

 be recommended. 



Firing is sometimes resorted to in the case of splints proving obdurate 

 to milder treatment. Line firing produces a greater blemish than punc- 

 ture-firing and it has no advantage over the latter. When the splint is 

 well defined a single puncture deep through the skin and bone-covering 

 membrane {periosteum) will suffice to induce curative action, but in the case 

 of a diffuse enlargement or chain splint, three or more punctures, one 

 above the other, may be made. 



Periosteotomy is an operation sometimes performed for the relief of 

 pain in obstinate cases of splint lameness, and it also' induces a curative 

 action. It consists in cutting down through the skin and periosteum (the 

 fibrous covering membrane of bone) deeplv into the bony growth. The 

 effect is the relief of pressure on the over-stretched membrane, which is 

 profusely supplied with sensory nerve filaments, and a consequent easing 

 of pain. The local bleeding which accompanies the operation also 

 tends to the same end. This operation is sometimes extended to 

 embrace the remo'val of the excess of bone growth. To do' this it is 

 necessary tO' dissect between the periosteum and bone for a sufficient area 

 to allow of the introduction of a gouge or chisel Avherebv, with the 

 aid of a mallet, the enlargement is chipped off level. After bleeding has 

 ceased the edges of the periosteum are stitched together with a-septic catgut 

 or kangaroo tendon and afterwards the skin is also stitched. In tihe per- 

 formance of these operations it is advisable to either have the horse under 

 chloroform or to produce local anaesthesia by the injection of cocaine solu- 

 tion (10 drops of a 5 per cent, solution of hydrochlorate of cocaine will 

 suffice) and even then, with the animal perfectly still, a correct knowledge 

 of the anatomy of the parts is essential to a successful result. The ope- 

 ration is facilitated if the part is rendered bloodless and this may be fairly 

 well accomplished by first of all applying a bandage upwards from the 

 foot to- above the knee to squeeze upwards the venous blood in the veins 

 and then to suspend the arterial flow^ bv applying pressure to the radial 

 artery above the knee by means of a pad and tourniquet {see p. 69). 

 Adrenaline, the use of which is explained on page 60, mav also be injected 

 to prevent oozing of blood. During the ojieration, particularly the major 

 one, the strictest antiseptic precautions are necessary to insure the satisfac- 

 tory healing of the bone surface a^nd skin wound. Antiseptic powder 

 (iodoform one part, zinc oxide eight parts) should be applied tO' the stitched 

 wound by means of a pad of cotton wool held in position bv a bandage for 

 a few days after the operation. 



( To be coiitiiiiied.) 



