244 THE HORSE. 



a tumour, first callous and afterwards bony, is found, with part of its base 

 restino- on the line of union between these bones. This is called a 



SPLINT. 



The splint is invariably found on the outside of the small bone, and gene- 

 rally on the inside of the leg (c, p. 255.) Why it should appear on the outside 

 of th.e small bones it is difficult to explain, except that the space between 

 these bones is occupied by an important mechanism, which will be pre- 

 sently described ; and, as in the case of abscess, a natural tendency was 

 given to them to determine outward, that vital parts may not be 

 injured. The cause of their almost exclusive appearance on the inside of 

 the leg admits of easier explanation. The inner splint-bone is placed 

 nearer^the centre of the weight of the body than the other, and, from the 

 nature of its connexion with the bones of the knee, actually receives more 

 of the weight than does the outer bone, and therefore is more liable to injury, 

 and inflanimation, and this consequent deposit of bone. The inner bone 

 receives the whole of the weight transmitted to one of the small bones of the 

 knee. It is the only support of that bone. A portion only of one of the 

 bones rests on the outer splint-bone, and the weight is shared between it 

 and the shank. In addition to this, it is the absurd practice of many 

 smiths to raise the outer heel of the shoe to an extravagant degree, which 

 throws still more of the weight of the horse on the inner splint-bone. 

 These tumours occasionally appear on other parts of the shank-bone, 

 being the consequence of violent blows, or other external injuries. 



When the splint is forming, the horse is frequently lame. The peri- 

 osteum or membrane covering the bone is painfully stretched ; but when 

 this membrane has accommodated itself to the tumour that extended it, 

 the lameness subsides and altogether disappears, unless the splint be in a 

 situation in which it interferes with the action of some tendon or ligament, 

 or in the immediate neighbourhood of a joint. Pressing upon a li- 

 gament or tendon, it may cause inflammation of those substances ; or, 

 bein"* close to a joint, it may interfere with its action. Splints, then, do 

 not necessarily cause unsoundness, and may not lessen in the slightest 

 def^Tee the action or value of the horse. All depends on their situation. 

 When w^e have described the situation and course of the suspensory ligas. 

 ments, we shall be enabled to enter more fully into this. 



The treatment of splints, if it be worth while to meddle with them, is 

 exceedingly simple. The hair should be closely shaved off round the 

 tumour ; a little strong mercurial ointment rubbed in for two days ; and 

 this should be followed by an active blister. If the splint be of recent 

 formation, it will usually yield to this, or to a second blister. Should it 

 resist these applications, it can rarely be advisable to cauterize the part, 

 luilcss the tumour interferes materially with the action of the suspensory 

 ligament ; for it not unfrequently happens, that, although the splint may 

 have apparently resisted this treatment, it will afterwards, and at no great 

 distance of time, begin rapidly to lessen, and quite disappear. There is 

 also a natural process by which the greater part of splints disappear when 

 the horse gets old. 



As for the old remedies, many of them brutal enough, — bruising the 

 splint with a hammer, boring it with a gimlet, chipping it off with a 

 mallet, sawing it olf, slitting down the skin and periosteum over it, sweat- 

 ing it down with hot oils, and passing setons over it, — the voice of huma- 

 nity, and the progress of science, will consign them to speedy oblivion. 

 The inside of the leg, innnediately under the knee, and extending to the 



