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SPLINTS. 



233 



consists of two bones (third and fourth metacarpal bones), which 

 are separate during the early life of the foetus, but become united 

 before birth. We may therefore conclude that although the ox 

 cannot now get a splint between his third and fourth metacarpal 

 or metatarsal bones, his ancestors at one period were liable to 

 this disease, from which the horse of the future will no doubt be 

 free. 



When the ancestors of the horse were three-toed animals, their 



second and fourth metacarpal bones, which to-day are the splint 

 bones of the horse, served the useful i>urpose of forming joints 

 with their respective digits. But as these digits have disappeared, 

 the lower portion of the splint bones is no longer useful, and, 

 besides, is often a cause of lameness, on account of its presence 

 giving rise to a splint, or to irritation. The upper portion of the 

 splint bones forms joints respectively with certain small bones of 

 the knee or hock, as the case may be. It is impossible to say 

 with certainty how much of the splint bones of the horse is a 

 useless and undesirable appendage ] but to judge by the size of 



