54 THE IMPROVED ART OF FARRIERY. 



by which the lameness is caused, through that mem- 

 jraneous skin being stretched beyond its usual size : 

 both these modes are practised at the Royal Veterinary 

 <^ollege. If, however, the splint be recently formed, 

 after shaving the part affected, apply a little mercurial 

 ointment night and morning, taking care to rub it weU 

 in ; after this, a blister made of cantharides should be 

 applied ; and if these do not produce the effect desired, 

 try a second and stronger one, and this may be pro- 

 bably attended with greater success. When lameness 

 does not proceed from the splint, it were oftener a 

 better practice to take no notice of it. Nothing could 

 exceed the inhumanity of the old farriers, and indeed 

 some of the present day, who cannot altogether rid 

 themselves of some barbarous usages. The habit 

 of boring the splint with a gimlet, bruising it with a 

 hammer, applying to it the chisel and mallet, and thus 

 cutting away the exostosis, are among their most cruel 

 operations. But we must hope that all such errors 

 are fast disappearing, and that a brighter day has risen ^ 

 when, as Sir W. Blizzard expressed himself while pre- 

 siding at the Veterinary College students' dinner. 

 " reputation and success must he founded on the unior 

 of science and humanity.'' 



Ringbone 



Is more frequently found in the hinder than in the 

 fore feet, and consists of an inflammation and enlarge 

 ment of the ^ astern b nes, which form a ring rouna 

 the coronet of the hoof, hence its name. The carti 

 lages of the foot are sometimes affected with it. The 

 reason it occurs in the hind feet, arises from the vio- 

 lent exertion some horses are compelled to make in 



