SPLINT. 205 



upon the part for an hour or two every day, is valuable to 

 allay irritation, after which an anodyne liniment, composed 

 of tr. opii, arnica, mont. tr., camphorae, etc., may be 

 applied ; or a good active vesicant, as the unguentum 

 hydrarg. biniodidi, one to four, or one to eight, or the 

 ungt. cantharidis may be used — either will be found excellent 

 vesicants, and of much benefit in splint. A seton passed 

 over the splint, and allowed to remain for a couple of 

 weeks or so, will often effect a cure where every other treat- 

 ment fails. The hair should be clipped or shaven off the 

 spot before a vesicant is applied. Half an ounce of the 

 ointment may be used, and should be applied with friction 

 for at least ten or fifteen minutes. The parts below are to 

 be guarded in the usual way. After the vesicant has ex- 

 pended its force, if it be found that tenderness is still 

 present, another vesicant is to be applied. The seton is 

 perhaps a preferable mode of treatment where the splint is 

 situated close to the knee. On removinsr the seton the 

 horse may show signs of improvement ; but there may be 

 some slight lameness yet, in which case the application of 

 one or two vesicants will often effect a complete cure. It 

 may be necessary in some cases to use the firing-iron ; in 

 such a case an iron with a sharp point is to be recom- 

 mended as preferable to any other. After heating it, pass 

 the point right into the osseous enlargement. A cure 

 generally results. Subcutaneous scarification, or perios- 

 teotomy is often attended with beneficial results, and is 

 very useful, particularly where a splint is suddenly de- 

 veloped in a horse of mature years. The operation is very 

 simple, and consists of making an incision through the 

 skin. Through the opening thus made the periosteotomy 

 knife is inserted, and the periosteum covering the splint is 

 incised, and pressure is relieved. A poultice should be 

 applied for a few days. Where the animal is to be kept at 



