844 THE HORSE. 



a tumour, first callous and afterwards bony, is found, with part of its base 

 resting on the line of union between these bones. This is called a 



SPLINT. 



The splint is invariably found on the outside of the small bone, and 

 general'iy on the inside of the leg (c, p. 255). Why it should appear on 

 the outside of the small bones it is difficult to explain, except that the space 

 between these bones is occupied by an important mechanism, which will be 

 presently described ; and, as in the case of abscess, a natural tendency 

 was given to them to determine outward, that vital parts may not be 

 injured. The cause of their almost exclusive appearance on the inside of 

 the leg admits of easier explanation. The inner splint-bone is placed 

 nearer the centre of the weight of the body than the other, and, from the 

 nature of its connection with the bones of the knee, actually receives more 

 of the weight than does the outer bone, and therefore is more liable to injury, 

 and inflammation, and this consequent deposit of bone. The inner bone 

 receives the whole of the weight transmitted to one of the small bones of the 

 knee. It is the only support of that bone. A portion only of one of the 

 bones rest on the outer-splint bone, and the weight is shared between it 

 and the shank. In addition to this, it is the absurd practice of many smiths 

 to raise the outer heel of the shoe to an extravagant degree, which throws 

 still more of the weight of the horse on the inner splint-bone. These tumours 

 occasionally appear on other parts of the shank-bone, being the consequence 

 of violent blows, or other external injuries. 



When the splint is forming, the horse is frequently lame. The peri- 

 osteum or membrane covering the bone is painfully stretched ; but when 

 this membrane has accommodated itself to the tumour that extended it, 

 the lameness subsides and altogether disappears, unless the splinl be in a 

 situation in which it interferes with the action of some tendon or ligament, 

 or in the immediate neighbourhood of a joint. Pressing upon a ligament 

 or tendon, it may cause inflammation of those substances ; or, being close 

 to a joint, it may interfere with its action. Splints, then, do not necessarily 

 cause unsoundness, and may not lessen in the slightest degree the action 

 or value of the horse. All depends on their situation. When we have 

 described the situation and course of the suspensory ligaments, we shall be 

 enabled to enter more fully into this. 



The treatment of splints, if it be worth while to meddle with them, is 

 exceedingly simple. The hair should be closely shaved off round the 

 tumour ; a little strong mercurial ointment rubbed in for two days ; and 

 this should be followed by an active blister. If the splint be of recent 

 formation, it will usually yield to this, or to a second blister. Should it 

 resist these applications, it can rarely be advisable to cauterize the part, 

 unless the tumour interferes materially with the action of the suspensory 

 ligament ; for it not unfrequently happens that, although the splint may 

 have apparently resisted this treatment, it will afterwards, and at no great 

 distance of time, begin rapidly to lessen, and quite disappear. There is 

 also a natural process by which the greater part of splints disappear when 

 the horse gets old. 



As for the old remedies, many of them brutal enough — bruising the 

 splint with a hammer, boring it with a gimlet, chipping it oflfwith a mallet, 

 sawing it off", slitting down the skin and periosteum over it, sweating it 

 down with hot oils, and passing setons over it — the voice of humanity, and 

 the progress of science, will consign them to speedy oblivion. 



The inside of the leg, immediately under the knee, and extending to the 



