336 THE FARM DOCTOR. 



be recognised by running the fingers down the slight groove 

 formed between the main shank-bone and its small accessory 

 one behind. It usually connects the large bone to the small 

 (anchylosis), but may be confined to the posterior part of the 



Fig, dT. — Splint. 



small bone, or may extend across the back of the shank-bone 

 and appear at the same level on the inner and outer sides of the 

 limb alike. In old horses it is not unfrequent to find the small 

 bone united to the large along two-thirds of its length. If situ- 

 ated high up and close to the knee, it is more likely to cause 

 continued lameness than if lower down. Again if an animal 

 has several splints and other diseases of bone he is highly 

 objectionable, as being predisposed to bone disease. 



Symptovis. — Beside the feeling of the splints on handling, as 

 above mentioned, these symptoms may be seen. The patient 

 /nay walk sound, or even trot so, on soft ground, but is exceed- 

 ingly lame when trotted on a hard surface, and this lameness 

 increases with exercise. The extreme drooping of the head is 

 characteristic. Even before the formation of the splint tender- 

 ness may be shown on pressure, and some little heat recognised. 

 In some cases considerable soft swelling may be felt in the 

 early stag-'s. In acute cases, threatening abscess, the lame- 

 ness is c xtreme. 



Treatment. — In the early stages, rest, purge, and appiy cool- 

 ing lotions. When heat and tenderness subside, blister. Some 

 cases will recover promptly, others require repeated blistering 

 and a long period of rest. If heat and great tenderness return, 

 resort again to soothing measures. In extreme tenderness, 

 threatening the formation of matter, the periosteum should be 

 divided with a very narrow-bladed knife, which is passed through 



