SPLIXT. 37J 



but when this membrane has accommodated itself to the tumour that ex- 

 tended it,_ the lameness subsides, and altogether disappears, unless the 

 splmt be m a situation m which it interferes with the action of some ten 

 don or ligament, or m the immediate neighbom^hood of a joint Pressino- 

 upon a ligament or tendon, it may cause inflammation of those substances'^ 

 or being close to a jomt, it may interfere Avith its action. Splints, then' 

 although, strictly speakmg, cause unsoundness, may not materially lessen 

 the action or value of the horse. The treatment of spHnts is exceedingly 

 simple. Ihe hair shou dbe closely shaved ofl^round the tumour, and this 

 followed by an active bhster. 



If the splint is of recent formation, it will generally yield to this or to 

 a second b ister. Should it however resist these applications, it can 'rarely 

 be ad^sable to cauterise the part, unless the tumour materially interferes 

 with the action of the suspensory ligament, or the flexor tendon ; for it 

 not imfrequently happens, that, although the splint may have apparently 

 resisted this treatment, it >vill afterwards, at no great clistance of time^ 

 begin rapidly to lessen, and quite disappear. There is also a natural pro- 

 cess by which the greater part of sr.lints disappear when the horse grows old. 

 _ i he late Professor Sewell introduced a new treatment of splints described 

 m the eighth volume of the ' Veterinarian,' which is certainly ingenious 

 and generaUy successful. He removes any inflammation about the part 

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

 operation is performed; this is commenced by pinching up the skin, 'im- 

 mediately above the bony enlargement, .vdth the finger and thumb of the left 

 hand and with the knife, or lancet, or scissors, making an orifice sufiicient 

 to mtr-oduce a probe-pomted bistoury, with the edge on the convex side 

 This IS passed under the skin along the whole length of the ossification 

 beneath, cuttmg through the thickened periosteum doAvn to the bone • 

 and this bemg efiectually completed by dra^-ing the knife backwards and 

 forwards several times, a small tape or seton is inserted, and, if the tumour 

 IS of long standing kept m a few days. The operation is attended with 

 very little pam to the ammal. Perhaps slight inflammation may appear, 

 which subsides m a few days if fomentation is used. The inflammition 

 bemg removed, the enlargement considerably subsides, and in many cases 

 becomes quite absorbed. This is a great improvement on the practice, 

 though the efi-ect and the result are the same as in the old system formerlv 

 adopted m many parts of the countrjs and not now obsolete where vete- 

 rinary assistance IS not within reach, of at once cutting doAAm on the splint 

 when the pain is at once removed, and the wound heals readily, with Httle 

 or no bJemish. -^ 



The inside of the leg immediately under the knee, and extending to 

 le head of the inner sphnt-bone, is subject to injmy from what is termed 

 ihespeeJAj^ cut. A horse with high action, and in the fast trot, violently 

 strikes this part, either with his hoof or the edge of the shoe. Horses 

 thatare termed dancmg masters from tuiming out theii- toes, are more 

 specially hab e to this serious defect, from the peculiar position of the 

 hnibs mevitably producmg a crossing in their action. Sometimes bony 

 enlargement is the result, at others great heat and tenderness; and the 

 pain from the blow seems occasionally to be so great that the horse drops as 

 if he were shot The only remedy is to take care that no part of the shoe 

 jDrojects beyond the foot; and to let the inner side of the shoe-excent 

 the country is very deep, or the horse used for hunting— have but one 

 nail and that near the toe. Care should likewise be taken that the shoe 

 IS of equal thickness at the heel and the toe, and that the bearing is equal 

 on both sides. This, however, is a very serious defect, for the animal is 

 m danger of falhng suddenly without tlie sUghtcst warning and il^ it 



