96 CAUSES, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT OF 



constituents for the proper development of bone. Grain is also liable to 

 produce it; it is possible that there exists a slight difference in corn 

 grown in different localities. It is enzootic. In early days some places 

 proudced this disease, and as soon as the country was cleared and drained 

 it was not so common ; in Canada this is the case. I have known some 

 affected in the South, and brought north to Canada, and a great improve- 

 ment was the result. Horses that suffered from miasmatic influences in 

 the South came north and became valuable. I have seen two cases, both 

 of which were fed on grasses grown on low lands. 



Symptoms are perhaps not very well marked. The animal is occasion- 

 ally dull, the appetite impaired, iDut not gone. The colt does not ramble 

 and frolic about as in health ; it slowly loses flesh. The muscular sys- 

 tem becomes soft. It shows itself more in the head, and the long bones 

 containing much cancellated tissue ; the belly is tucked up. These symp- 

 toms may exist for some four or six months before the true nature of the 

 disease shows itself, then there is enlargement of the bones of the head ; 

 a close examination showing one side larger than the other, perhaps the 

 bones of the jaw just thickened slightly ; but there may be considerable 

 change without enlargement The superior maxillary is generally the 

 first affected ; but the limbs become affected ; the animal moves with 

 difficulty, with a sort of stiff action (not a real lameness), and is not 

 well marked until the disease reaches a certain stage ; as the disease ad- 

 vances, the symptoms increase ; the bones enlarge until they sometimes 

 interfere with respiration, and I believe there is more or less discharge 

 from the nose ; and you might think the animal was suffering from 

 matter in one of the sinuses, but it is not confined to one place ; the 

 whole of the bone is enlarged ; the humerus shows an enlargement, if 

 closely examined. There is no great harm in trephining the sinuses, 

 which is easily done. The circulation is very weak, but not quickened to 

 any great extent. These symptoms continue, and the animal may die 

 from enfemia or from fracturing some of the bones, perhaps just while 

 walking along ; or, it may die from exhaustion. 



Treatment is not generally attended with much success, and if the 

 disease goes on to any great extent, it is best to destroy the animal ; but 

 if in the earlier stage, change the food, and if possible remove the 

 animal from the place where it has been, and recovery may take place. 

 Give food of the very best quality ; use mineral acids ; or, you may try 

 just the opposite — alkaline salts, which some recommend ; try tonics, 

 such as iron, and if one does not benefit, try some other ; but I think 

 the great secret is in the change of food and locality. In summer turn 

 on pasture, and give some oats. 



Splint. — An inflammatory disease of bone. It is an exostosis or 

 bony enlargement, between the inner small and the large metacarpal 

 bones, usually about the lower part of the upper third, but it occurs in 

 different places, lower or higher. Horses used upon the hard road are 

 perhaps oftenest affected. It does not often prove very detrimental, but 

 according to its situation is productive of more or less harm. If it is 

 close to the knee, it is apt to set up more or less irritation in the knee 

 joint. 



Pathology. — It is due to circumscribed inflammation of the periosteum 

 and bone, and a slight irritation may produce this in the inner layer of 

 the periosteum. It is sometimes due to inflammation of the periosteum 

 without the bone being affected. It is oftener met with in young 

 animals, owing to the periosteum being more vascular, the exudation 

 more abundant, and more readily converted into bony material, but it 

 may occur in old animals. 



