56 VETERINARY LECTURES 



which either becomes absorbed or ossified, and the union of the 

 two bones takes place with or without enlargement (Plate VIL, 

 Fig. 3,x). This may be termed true splint, and in many cases causes 

 a very troublesome and protracted lameness. If care and rest, with 

 suitable treatment, be not early adopted, the inflammation and bone 

 formation may extend behind and under the suspensory ligament to 

 the outer splint bone. At its commencement this class of splint is 

 not easily detected, as there is nothing to be seen or felt, only a 

 peculiar lameness, with a characteristic nodding and dropping of the 

 head, noticeable both on hard and soft ground when the horse is trotted, 

 while little or no lameness is observed in the walk. On pressing the 

 finger firmly between the large and small bones on the inside, below 

 the knee, the animal shows pain, and may rear up, owing to the 

 sharp twinge produced by the pressure on the inflamed structure. 



108. Treatment for splint is to give rest, with cold water 

 applications, until the inflammation subsides ; then blister and 

 blister, and, if necessary, follow up with the plaster bandage or 

 firing, setoning, etc. Occasionally great benefit is derived from 

 cutting through the skin and dividing the periosteum with a suitable 

 knife. Should the bony deposit become carious — worm-eaten — as 

 it sometimes does, cutting down on the part and scraping with a bone 

 spoon may have good effect. The great point in the treatment is to 

 hurry on the inflammatory process to the deposition of healthy bony 

 material, and for this purpose nothing beats the hot iron prongs. 



109. Sore Shins. See Periostitis, /w. 69. 



no. Ring Bone is due to inflammation of the bony structures 

 and deposition of bony material, with enlargement, varying in size. 

 It is found on the large and small pastern bones, and may be due 

 to an injury, such as a nip in casting a young colt and tying too 

 tight with a hard rope, or from constitutional causes, such as 

 rheumatic and other hereditary tendencies. It may be considered 

 under two heads — High and Low. Low ring bone is seen just 

 above the top of the hoof, and is generally largest at the sides, while 

 high ring bone is found a little higher up. Both forms, when 

 not early and properly attended to, may end in caries and anchy- 



