LAMENESS IN THE FORE LEG 109 



Symptomatolog'y. — Lameness is usually the first manifesta- 

 tion of this disorder, and the thing which characterizes splint 

 lameness is its peculiar intermittence. There is a mixed form of 

 lameness which may not be in evidence when an affected animal 

 is started on a drive, but which is marked after the subject has 

 gone some distance. The animal may, however, go lame through- 

 out the whole of a drive and continue to be lame for several 

 days or weeks in some cases. It is noticeable that lameness is 

 augmented or produced when the sul)ject travels on rough road 

 surfaces and that little or no difficulty is encountered when roads 

 are smooth. 



The heavy brachial fascia is inserted in part to the head of 

 the second metacarpal (inner small) bone together with the 

 oblique digital extensor (extensor metacarpi obliquus) and this 

 explains the reason for pain being manifested during extension 

 of the member. 



Before there is a visible exostosis, supersensitiveness is readily 

 recognized upon palpation of the parts, if careful comparison is 

 made between the sound and unsound members. However, fre- 

 quently splints occur on both forelegs at the same time and in 

 some instances exostoses are several in n amber upon each mem- 

 ber affected. In some instances, the affection involves the outer 

 splint bone and no evident involvement of the inner one exists. 



Treatment. — At the onset complete rest should be provided 

 and the local application of some good cataplasm is in order. A 

 stimulating liniment is beneficial when employed several times 

 daily and massage is also quite helpful. Later, the application 

 of a blistering ointment is good treatment. The use of the actual 

 cautery stimulates prompt resolution, but there is seldom any 

 resorption of products of inflammation following firing. Where- 

 as, in cases where other treatment is begun early, there usually 

 follows considerable diminution in the size of the exostosis. A 

 rest of four or five weeks is necessary and very young animals 

 should not be put to work too soon, if the character of the work 

 is such as to induce a recurrence of the trouble. 



Many cases are treated successfully in draft types of animals 

 (where the subjects are not kept at work that occasions seri- 



