splint. 2-2:3 



RECIPE (No. 54). 



Ointment for Splints. 



Iodine, two drachms ; 



Mercurial ointment (strong), one ounce ; 



Spermaceti ointment, two ounces. 



Rub the ointment well down with the spermaceti ; 

 to this add the iodine ; having thoroughly mixed these, 

 the preparation is fit for use. A portion of this may 

 be applied with a half-hour's friction daily, till the 

 place becomes sore ; when it should be for a time dis- 

 continued ; but again resorted to, so soon as the con- 

 dition of the tumour permits. 



These means will not, however, always succeed; 

 but sometimes an operation gives speedy relief. 



A small incision is made through the skin below, 

 and also above the splint ; next a blunt seton needle 

 is passed in at one opening, and brought out at 

 the other, so as to make a channel under the skin ; 

 into this a bistoury is introduced, and the operator 

 cuts down on the splint so as to divide the periosteum ; 

 then withdrawing the knife, he inserts from the upper 

 to the lower incision a small seton, which is allowed to 

 remain in for ten days or a fortnight. This operation 

 will sometimes succeed in removing the lameness; 

 and in diminishing the enlargement of young horses, 

 although its success is by no means certain. 



Splints are oftenest seen in colts ; generally they are 

 not perceived in old horses, being removed by the pro- 

 cess of absorption, which we have little power to hasten 

 or retard. 



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