84 ON LAMENESS. 



cause is inflammalion in the bone, produced 

 sometimes by concussions of the limb from 

 quick riding upon hard roads; or by blows 

 from the opposite leg during progression, which 

 is called the speedy cut. It is a hard immove- 

 able excrescence, situated on the shank bone, 

 and most frequently on the inside of the leg. 

 Vide plate S^Jig. 2, letter A. 



It more generally attacks young horses, 

 their bones not having acquired the firmness 

 which belongs to a more advanced age. Splents 

 are supposed not to occasion lameness, unless 

 they arise under a tendon, or near a joint. 

 Lameness, however, will ensue from their exist- 

 ence in any situation. The bone of the leg, in 

 common with all other bones, is surrounded by a 

 firm inelastic membrane, strongly adhering to 

 its surface, and which is called Periosteum. 



When the bone is inflamed in any particu- 

 lar part, an increased secretion of bony matter is 



brought 



