SPLINT. 313 



a portion of the abnormal growth, and hence it is not uncommon to find 

 the legs of old horses free, or nearly free from external exostoses. 



The absorption of a portion of the deposit, especially when newly 

 formed, may, however, be assisted and hastened by the use of artificial 

 stimulants. Iodine, mercurials, and various preparations are used for 

 this purpose. The favourite application is biniodide of mercury, in small 

 quantities not sufficient to cause serious inflammation. Blisters and 

 setons are also sometimes employed with a like object* The more con- 

 solidated portion of the deposit, however, cannot be removed by any such 

 means. 



The Author would earnestly recommend the owner of a horse with a 

 formed splint to let it alone, if it does not cause lameness. The eyesore 

 is not great, and blemishes more serious than the splint are often pro- 

 duced in the attempt to remove it. 



623. Of Splints which cause permanent lameness. 



Permanent lameness from Splint per se is rare. When such does arise, 

 it will generally be found to be caused by the exostosis being so placed 

 as to interfere with the working of the suspensory ligament or of the 

 flexor tendons. As the cause, namely the exostosis or at least that part 

 of it which lies deep-seated and which would interfere with their free 

 passage, is irremovable, a cure is beyond the reach of art; though 

 Nature may in time come to our assistance, partly by the absorption of a 

 portion of the osseous deposit, and partly by the yielding of the hard to 

 the softer tissues. In fact, it not uncommonly happens that, though 

 there may be for a time considerable impediment to the free working of 

 the suspensory ligament or of the tendon, and though these " cords " 

 may be bowed out of the straight line by the deposit, yet in the end 

 nature establishes for them a free or almost free passage. 



In other cases the lameness may be caused by the exostosis being so 

 placed, that it is struck so frequently by the other foot in action, not- 

 withstanding the protection given by a boot, that renewed inflammation 

 is set up in it, and lameness results. From the renewed inflammation an 

 increased osseous deposit may take place. 



The renewed attack must be treated in the same manner as recom- 

 mended for the original disease. But if the deposit be increased, the 

 difficulty of preventing collision will be increased, and sometimes there 

 is no resource left, but to put the horse to slow work, when he will be 

 less likely to seriously bruise the splint. Some horses, which, when 

 ridden, hit splints, do not do so in harness, or vice versa. 



624. To detect Splints. 



Large splints are easily enough both seen and felt, but the detection 

 of an incipient or very small splint is often a matter of nicety. 



The signs of splint are lameness accompanied with pain on the appli- 

 cation of pressure to the seat of the disease, also heat and throbbing of 

 the arteries of the part, and a marked increase in the lameness at a trot 



