SPLINTS. 



231 



in the bone or immediately underneath the periosteum, we should provide for 

 its free exit by means of the knife, and should treat the wound antiseptically 

 (p. 74). 



The treatment of inflammation of bone is generally best carried out by 

 severe " counter-irritation," such as firing or sharp blistering. The rationale 

 of this practice appears to be that violent local irritation stimulates inflam- 

 mation of bone to complete its course. Thus, in spavin it tends to set up 

 bony union between inflamed surfaces of bone which, by pressing against each 

 other, give rise to pain and consequent lameness. In sore shins and apparently 

 in curb, the completion of the inflammatory process seems to leave the bone 



Fig. 1"]. — Splint on outside of 

 off fore. 



and i*s covering membrane (the periosteum) free from any abnormal tender- 

 ness. In splints, the removal of pain is no doubt obtained in both ways ; for 

 during their formation there is liability of friction occurring between the in- 

 flamed surface of a splint bone and that of the cannon bone. 



Splints. 



DEFINITION. — According to the popular view, a splint (Fig. 

 77) is a bony deposit which appears on the side of the \q^, between 

 the knee or hock and fetlock; but following the teaching of 

 Percivall, it would be more correct to say that a splint is a bony 

 deposit which takes place between the cannon bone and one or 

 both of the splint bones. This connection is well shown in Figs, 



