SPLINTS. 241 



fices it has to spread over, without suffering any tension " 

 (Percivall). An exaggerated form of inflammation in the substance 

 of the bone, may occur from the effects of violent concussion ; 

 when, instead of a splint being formed, the effusion failing to get 

 vent, is deposited in the bone, thus preventing that part, by blocks 

 ing up its canals, from receiving nutrition; the result being that 

 death of the affected portion of bone ensues. 



A splint which does not interfere with a joint, tendon, ligament 

 or nerve, causes lameness only during its period of formation. At 

 the same time we must remember that the process of formation 

 often occupies a considerable time, and that, after it has stopped, 

 it is liable to begin again on receiving a fresh stimulus from direct 

 or indirect injury. . , 



TREATMENT. — If the only symptom of trouble is a slight in- 

 flammatory condition, which can be felt by running the hand down 

 the affected leg, no severe measures, such as blistering or firing, 

 should be adopted for its reduction ; for they sometimes cause an 

 extension of the inflammatoiy process which would injuriously affect 

 the animal's soundness. Besides, it is always advisable to let 

 " well " alone. If there be no immediate hurry, even if the animal 

 is slightly lame, it would be well to give him a rest, keep him on 

 a moderate amount of laxative food (grass and carrots), and try 

 the combined eff'ects of massage and pressm^e on the bony enlarge- 

 ment. With this object we might rub the part with the hand or 

 ball of the thumb several times a day, taking care not to render 

 the skin sore ; and to place on the splint a pad, over which we 

 might apply a tight cotton wadding bandage (p. 45). In employ- 

 ing massage, we might use a little lanoline or sweet oil, which 

 would greatly diminish the irritating effect of the friction on the 

 skin. The pad for the application of pressure might be made 

 of any suitable material : a piece of india-rubber covered with wash- 

 leather, for instance. While candying out this treatment, we 

 might, from time to time, cautiously test the patient's capability 

 of standing work, and use our judgment in drawing conclusions 

 from his action. Failing to obtain success after, say, a month's 

 trial of these mild, though often very beneficial, measures; we 

 may apply two or three blisters of biniodide of mercury ointment 

 (1 to 8 "of lard or vaseline), at intervals of a fortnight or longer. 

 If blistering prove insufficient to remove the lameness, we may 

 try the operation of cutting down on the splint (periosteotomy), 

 or remove it with a gouge or chisel, supposing that it is not 

 close to the knee. In performing periosteotomy on a splint near 

 the knee, care should of course be taken not to make an incision 

 that might in any way lead to open joint. Periosteotomy and 



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