258 SPLINT. 



we have before remarked, exostosis or tumour is not absolutely 

 necessary to constitute splint. 



Splint is peculiar to the Fore Limb and to the inner 

 Side of it. — Not that splint never is seen upon the hind, or that 

 the outer side of the limb does not on occasions shew splint ; but 

 that these are its ordinary sites. And for the reasons — that the fore 

 limbs have more weight imposed upon them than the hind, at the 

 same time that they experience more concussion than the hind. 

 Both which reasons apply to the inner sides of the limb, as com- 

 pared with the outer, on the principle of the former being nearer to 

 the central line of axis of the body. Added to which, the position 

 of the limbs and the construction of their joints is such that weight 

 pressing from above inclines to the inner sides, and from the articu- 

 lations of the bones, makes more impression upon those parts. 



Splint rarely produces Lameness. — Not only has unaided 

 observation taught this, but it is a fact based upon all the best 

 veterinary experience. Formerly, splints were regarded as great 

 grievances. Solleysell and other old writers viewed them in this 

 light, explaining that they caused lameness whenever they 

 "touched," or "interfered with the back sinews." What, how- 

 ever, did Mr. Apperley, the observant and reflecting " Nimrod," 

 without pretending to any medical knowledge of them, say about 

 splints 1 — why, that " from splint he had suffered very little. 

 He never remembered hut one horse out of work from that 

 cause*." Still, is the old notion very prevalent among unprofes- 

 sional people, that splints often lame horses; and to the groom 

 who thinks so, or to the veterinary surgeon who chooses to prevail 

 upon himself to believe so, is such doctrine often very acceptable 

 and opportune, inasmuch as it serves to help him out of any 

 embarrassment he may feel to say for certain whereabouts 

 the horse's lameness is located. Young practitioners ought to be 

 extremely wary how they pronounce a horse lame from splint ; 

 never, indeed, to venture to do so without unquestionable evidence 

 that such is really the nature of the case. They will do well to bear 



* Veterinarian, voI.x, p. 64 



