PECULIARITY OF SPLINT LAMENESS. 159 



relieve the animal from its sufferings, and the best is " sub- 

 cutaneous periostiotomy/' as recommended by the late Professor 

 Sewell. 



The operation is performed by making a transverse incision 

 with the ro welling scissors, immediately below tlie enlargement, 

 introducing the " periostiotomy knife " flatwise under the skin, 

 as far as the upper end of the splint, turning the cutting edge 

 inwards on to the bone, and cutting through the periosteum 

 into the new formation. It may be necessary to cast the horse, 

 but, as a rule, the application of cocaine and the twitch keeps 

 him quiet enough. 



Some practitioners pass a seton over the deposit after the 

 operation, and I recommend it as good practice. 



In all cases a purgative must be administered ; and in the 

 milder forms, fomentations and the application of a cooling 

 lotion are quite sufficient to remove the inflammation and 

 lameness ; but if they fail to do so, a blister should be applied, 

 and in obstinate cases it may be found necessary to fire the 

 part, the method by pyro-puncture being preferable, as it leaves 

 but little blemish ; the instrument to be made hot, and applied 



Fig. 24. — Instrument for pyro-puncture. 



with sufficient pressure to pierce the skin, and to enter the new 

 deposit. 



If there be a return of lameness when the patient is put to 

 work after an apparent cure, it will be advisable to take the 

 shoes off, turn him into a loose place, and allow a long rest. 

 When the deposit is sufficiently prominent to interfere with 

 the action of the flexor tendon, the treatment is to cut down 

 upon it and remove it by the bone forceps or Volkmann's spoon. 



Sometimes the splint is large enough to interfere with the 

 auction of the opposite fore foot, that is to say, it is liable to 

 be struck by the other foot during rapid action. In such a 

 case a boot must be used, and the absorption of the deposit 

 excited by the application of the ointment of the biniodide 

 of mercury ; or if it be a sharp, prominent splint, it is to be 

 removed by the bone forceps. This striking of the enlarge- 

 ment with the opposite foot is apt to cause the horse to fall. 



