268 THE FORE LEGS. 



SPLINT. 



The splint is invariably found on the outside of the small bones and g-enerally on 

 the inside of the leg (c, p. 277). Why it should appear on the outside of the small 

 bones it is difficult to explain, except that the space between these bones is occupied 

 by an important mechanism, which will be presently described ; and, as in the case 

 of abscess, a natural tendency was given to them to determine outward, that vital 

 parts might not be injured. The cause of tlieir almost exclusive ajipearance on the 

 inside of the leg admits of easier explanation. The inner splint-bone is placed nearer 

 the centre of the weight of the body than the other, and, from the nature of its con- 

 nexion with the bones of the knee, actually receives mere of the weight than does tiie 

 outer bone, and therefore is more liable to injury, and inflammation, and this con- 

 sequent deposit of bony matter. The inner bone receives the whole of the weight 

 transmitted to the small bone of the knee. It is the only support of that bone. A 

 portion only of one of the bones rests on tlic outer splint-bone, and the weight i? 

 shared between it and the shank. In addition to tliis, there is the absurd practice o( 

 many smiths of raising the outer heel of the shoe to an extravagant degree, which 

 throws still more of the weight of tlie horse on the inner splint-bone. Bony tumours 

 occasionally appear on other parts of the shank-bone, being the consequence of 

 violent blows or other external injuries, and are commonly called splints. 



When the splint of either sort is forming, the horse is frequently lame, for the 

 periosteum or membrane covering the bone is painfully stretched ; but when this 

 membrane has accommodated itself to the tumour that extended it, the lameness sub- 

 sides, and altogether disappears, unless the splint be in a situation in which it inter- 

 feres with the action of some tendon or ligament, or in the immediate neighbourhood 

 of a joint. Pressing upon a ligament or tendon, it may cause inflammation of those 

 substances; or, being close to a joint, it may interfere with its action. Splints, then, 

 do not necessaril}'' cause unsoundness, and may not lessen in the slightest degree the 

 action or value of the horse. All depends on their situation. 



The treatment of splints, if it is worth while to meddle with them, is exceedingly 

 simple. The hair should be closely shaved oft' round the tumour ; a little strong mer- 

 curial ointment rubbed in for two days ; and this followed by an active blister. If 

 the splint is of recent formation, it will generally yield to this, or to a second blister. 

 Should it, however, resist these applications, it can rarely be advisable to cauterize 

 the part, unless the tumour materially interferes with the action of the suspensory 

 ligament, or the flexor tendon ; for it not unfrequently happens, that, although the 

 splint may have apparently resisted this treatment, it will afterwards, and at no 

 great distance of time, begin rapidly to lessen, and quite disappear. There is also a 

 natural process by which the greater part of splints disappear when the horse grows 

 old. 



The hydriodate of potash, made into an ointment with lard, and a small quantity 

 of mercurial ointment being added, will frequently cause the disappearance of a splint 

 of either sort. 



As for the old remedies, many of them brutal enough — bruising the splint with a 

 hammer, boring it with a gimlet, chipping it off" with a mallet, sawing it oft', slitting 

 down the skin and periosteum over it, sweating it down with hot oils, and passing 

 setons over it — the voice of humanity, and the progress of science, will consign them 

 to speedy oblivion. 



Professor SeweH has introduced a new treatment of splints, which is certainly 

 ingenious, and generally successful. He removes any inflammation about the part 

 by the use of poultices or fomentations, and then, the horse being cast, the operation 

 is commenced by pinching up the skin, immediately above the bony enlargement, 

 w ith the finger and thumb of the left hand, and with the knife, or lancet, or scissors, 

 making an orifice suflicient to introduce a j)robe-pointed bistourj', with the edge on 

 the convex side. This is passed under the skin along the whole length of the ossifi- 

 cation beneath, cutting through the thickened ])eriosteum down to the bone ; and this 

 being efl'ectually completed by drawing the knife l)ackwards and forwards severnl 

 times, a small tape or seton is inserted, and if the timiour is of long stnndintr, kept in 

 during a few days. The operation is attended with very slight pain to the animal. 

 Perhaps slight inflammation may appear, Avhich subsides in a few days, if fomentation 



