Treatment of Splint. 217 



finger down the slight groove formed between the main 

 shank bone and the smaller one behind, where they will be 

 felt as small, bony swellings. 



Treatment. — In new and acute cases, with decided swell- 

 ing and tenderness, a sharp scalpel should be inserted be- 

 neath the skin, and the sheath of the bone freely divided. 

 A seton may be placed over the spot, an active purgative 

 administered, and the part thoroughly fomented. 



If these measures fail, it is well to fire the part as recom- 

 mended on page 64. 



After an apparent cure the lameness may return, in which 

 case it is best to take the shoes off, turn the animal into pas- 

 ture, and give him a long rest. 



A writer in the London Lancet has given the following as 

 a useful liniment in splint : — 



No. 233. Oil of origanum, 



Oil of turpentine, each 1 oz. 



Alcohol, J oz. 



To be applied night and morning, for a few days at a time. 



RING BONES. 



These are deposits of bony matter above and below the 

 coronet. They are produced by heavy work in draught 

 horses, or by rheumatic disease. 



Lameness may not be present, although when inflamma- 

 tion is active, it may be extreme. The lameness is worse on 

 hard ground, and usually increases with exercise. Swelling 

 may be scarcely perceptible, and confined to the sides of the 

 pastern bone, or it may be an extreme enlargement of the 

 whole region. Forcible bending of the pastern causes pain, 

 as does also firm pressure on the swelling. 



Treatment, — Active inflammation, when present, should 

 be treated as heretofore described. When this is absent, the 

 treatment is chiefly mechanical. When the ring bone is in 



