DISEASES AFFECTING BONES, ETC. 



veterinary surgeons usually reject hunters when 

 they detect splint in that situation, because it 

 commonly happens that a splint thus placed gives 

 rise to an intractable lameness, and many obscure 

 lamenesses are in all probability thus caused. 

 Splint may be divided into simple and com- 

 pound forms : in the former there is only a single 

 deposit of new bone, whereas in the latter there 

 may be numerous new growths of variable size 

 and configuration, connected or disconnected, 

 nevertheless, all discoverable by external manipu- 

 lation. A considerable degree of discrimination 

 is necessary when contemplating the purchase of 

 a hunter with splint, chiefly because it is a 

 difficult matter to prognosticate as to whether 

 the trouble will be likely to interfere with the 

 animal's utility. 



The age of the animal and the absence of 

 lameness, coupled with the position that the 

 splint occupies, constitute the most reliable 

 evidence that one can obtain. If the horse 

 has turned its fourth year, and the splint is 

 in a good position, the prognosis is generally 

 favourable as to the hunter continuing sound. 

 The size of the splint must not be taken as a 



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