490 SPLINT. 



disposition to farther deposit, and removes what has been 

 already produced. These effects have been attempted by 

 constitutional means, intended to act on the absorbents 

 generally ; such, however, have not been found to answer 

 any end : local means only are therefore resorted to, and 

 are principally of a stimulating nature, variously modified, 

 as will be seen under individual cases of exostoses. 



SPLINT. 



Splint, or as some call it splent, is the name given to a 

 very common exostosis situated upon the cannon bones, 

 usually commencing in the fibro-cartilaginous substance. 

 In the fore limb it generally occurs upon the inner, and 

 in the hind upon the outer side of the leg. This species 

 of exostosis most commonly lames the young horse, from 

 the greater plasticity of his fi-ame, and from his organization 

 being not yet inured to continued exertion. It is usual to 

 consider the consequences of a splint as principally de- 

 pendent on its situation, and this is generally correct ; but 

 a splint may prove painful, and otherwise injurious, al- 

 though it should not interfere with any tendon or ligament ; 

 for the periosteum becomes exquisitely sensitive under in- 

 flammation and distention. This inflammation, fortunately 

 for the animal, is seldom very acute ; and the increase is 

 generally slow, which enables the periosteum to accommo- 

 date itself to the distention : generally, therefore, when a 

 sphnt is not situated immediately under a tendon, or con- 

 tiguous to ligamentary matter, it occasions no lameness. 

 The veterinary practitioner should, therefore, in his con- 

 sideration of the consequences in these cases, be guided, in a 

 great measure, by the situation of the splint. If placed 

 anteriorly, it is productive of much less injury than when 

 placed posteriorly^ for, as already pointed out, in this latter 

 case, the swelling may press on the ligaments, or interfere 

 with the flexor tendons. For the same reason also, a splint 

 placed at the lower end of the cannon is still more preju- 

 dicial than when situated higher up the leg. It is not un- 

 common to attribute that lameness to a splint which is 

 dependent on other causes. A fully developed splint never 

 lames, unless it interferes with a tendon or ligament. A 

 spUnt, in the course of formation, however, may produce 



