DISEASES OF THE BONES. - 97 



are involved. It usually occurs upon the fore legs, but is 

 sometimes seen upon the hind ones also — in either case, upon 

 the inside, of course. 



Splint is caused by a blow or contusion, most commonly 

 by the horse himself striking the leg with the opposite hoof, 

 by which means the periosteum is injured. The office of this 

 membrane is to separate the skin and underlying cellular 

 tissues from the rough surface of the bone, and, also, as 

 before stated, to act as a vehicle for the nutrition of the 

 latter's entire structure. These functions are necessarily de- 

 ranged when the periosteum is seriously bruised, or is torn 

 loose from its proper connection; and the bony secretions — 

 consisting principally of phosphate of lime, and which, in the 

 natural arrangement, are distributed throughout the cellular 

 tissue within the bones — are deposited upon the surface, form- 

 ing a lump beneath the skin. Soreness is occasioned, at first, 

 while the membrane is painfully stretched by the unnatural 

 enlargement of the bone ; but IN'ature usually accommodates 

 herself to the new condition of afiairs, so that, in time, this 

 entirely disappears. 



Occasion all}^, splint shows itself upon some part of the leg 

 where it interferes with a large tendon, or it may appear 

 immediately on the joint, in either of which cases, of course, 

 it causes lameness; otherwise it does but little harm, further 

 than its unsightliness is concerned. 



TREATMENT. 



After the horse reaches the age of nine or ten years, splint 

 almost invariably disappears so far as to be hardly noticeable, 

 and, in most instances, it may be as well to let it alone. If 

 treatment is decided upon, however, the corrosive liniment 

 may be applied two or three times, as directed for spavin, to 

 remove the soreness and lameness. 



BROKEN KNEKS — STUMBLING. 



Stumbling can not properly be reckoned among the vices 

 of the horse, notwithstanding most writers classify it as such. 



