SPLINT SPEEDY CUT 257 



When the splint of either sort is forming, the horse is frequently 

 lame, for the periosteum or membrane covering the bone is pain- 

 fully stretched ; but when this membrane has accommodated it- 

 self to the tumor that extended it, the lameness subsides, and al- 

 together disappears, unless the splint be in a situation in which it 

 interferes with the action of some tendon or ligament, or in the 

 'mmcdiate neighborhood of a joint. Pressing upon a Hgament 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. 



The treatment of splints^ if it is worth while to meddle with 

 them, is exceedingly simple. The hair should be closely shaved 

 oft^ round the tumor ; a little strong mercurial ointment rubbed 

 in for two days ; and this followed by an active blister. If the 

 splint is of recent formation, it will generally yield to this, or to 

 a second blister. Should it, however, resist these applications, it 

 not unli'equently happens, that 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 grows old. 



The hydriodate of potash, made into an ointment with lard, 

 and a small quantity of mercurial ointment being added, will 

 fi'equently cause the disappearance of a splint of either sort.=^ 



Speedy Cut. — The inside of the leg, immediately under the 

 knee, and extending to the head of the inner splint-bone, is sub- 

 ject to injury from what is termed the s.peedy cut. A horse with 

 high action, and in the fast trot, violently strikes this part, either 

 with his hoof or the edge of the shoe. Sometimes bony enlarge- 

 ment is the result ; at others, great heat and tenderness ; and the 

 'oain from the blow seems occasionally to be so great, that the 

 Horse drops as if he were shot. The only remedy is to take care 

 that no part of the shoe projects beyond the foot ; and to let the 

 inner side of the shoe — except the country is very deep, or the 

 horse used for hunting — have but one nail, and that near the toe. 

 This part of the hoof, being unfettered with nails, will expand 

 when it comes in contact with the ground, and contract when in 



* Note by Mr. Spooner. — The best remedy for splints is unquestionably 

 subctitaceous periosteotomy, an operation which consists in making a smaU 

 incision through the skin at the lower part of the splint, and passing up a 

 small knife made for the purpose under the skin, and so dividing the peri- 

 osteum, as the membrane which covers the bone is termed. This relieves 

 the tension, and thus puts a stop to the irritation, and its consequence, the 

 bony deposition. A small seton is left in the wound for a fortnight, which 

 keeps it open and produces some counter irritation. 



