70 



Symptoms. — Frequent lameness, that goes ofl and 

 returns without app:irent causo for either, before the 

 splent shows itself upon the shank-bone, which it does 

 above the knee, inside. Similarly hereto, it affects 

 the bone of the hind leg, and then acquires the nemo 

 of bone spavin. , Inflammation of the skin is soon felt, 

 and the horse goes lame until the splent is con)pletf ly 

 thrown, and afterwards he does as well as* ever, ex- 

 cept retaining the splent mark perhaps; but severe 

 cases occur, that do not terminate so favorably. JSuch 

 happens when the shank bone has received the con- 

 cussion, that causes the enlargement and rupture, 

 which constitutes the disease, at the hinder part of 

 the leg, where it meets with tendons or the suspensor 

 ligament. The lameness and the inflammation are 

 then greatest, and the splent requires our careful at- 

 tention. 



Remedy. — But should not the horse throw out the 

 splent on this last mentioned dangerous part, and be- 

 come lame, he vill yet suffer much in all ordinary 

 cases ; for the enlargement of the bone strains the 

 membrane which covers it tightly. For this purpose 

 apply a warm stimulating einurocation, which ailbrda 

 relief in the more favorable cases ; but when the 

 splent rises under the ligament or tendons, blistering 

 or firing must be resorted to. The latter however, is 

 proper only in extreme cases, and only to be adopted 

 when blistering is found inadequate to the purpose ; 

 if the swelling is hot and tender, firing would have 

 the effect of enlarging the whole bone of the leg, and 

 even the blistering liquid is improper when this symp- 

 tom is highly prevalent. Rather let the heat subside, 

 or asiist it in doing so by means of Goulard's extract, 

 diluted with water, frequently applied. When this 

 has reduced the heat, employ a liquid blister of four 

 drachms pulverized cantharides, mixed with sweet oil 

 to the consistence of treacle, and apply the same twice 

 through the day, thus : — Let the hair be clipped off 

 close from the part and all round the leg, and the 

 blister well rubbed with the hand for five or ten min- 

 utes. If this does not cause further swelling and a 

 discharge of a clammy nature, a third application of 



