288 VETERINARY HOMCEOPATHY. 



remain until it drops off, which it generally does when the wound 

 is healed; it should be hardly necessary to add that when injuries 

 of this kind are experienced, the horse must not be permitted to- 

 lie down, and in most instances it is necessary to put the animal 

 into slings in order to afford it some rest. 



Splints or exostoses on the canon bone, particularly when they 

 are located at the margins of the groove in which the suspensory 

 ligament rests, are likely to be producti\'e of lameness, not merely 

 because of the tenderness arising from inflammation of the bone, 

 but also by reason of the splint standing out so prominently that 

 the back tendons rub against it as the horse flexes and extends- 

 his leg in trotting and so produces extreme soreness; yet again, 

 when a splint arises immediately underneath the joint of the knee, 

 thus interfering with the true action of the articulation, it produces 

 lameness. There are several methods of treating a splint: First, 

 if the fine membrane which covers all bones, and necessarily ex- 

 tends over a splint when it forms, called the periosteum is cut, 

 the splint will frequently disappear; this should be done with a 

 fine periosteotomy scalpel by a veterinary surgeon. Second, a 

 fine piece of hard steel, sharply pointed, about the size of a lady's 

 ordinary stocking needle made red hot and plunged boldly into 

 the splint will effect its reab.sorption. Third, rub in an ointment 

 consisting of one part of Biniodide of mercury, one part of Iodine 

 and eight parts of lard once thoroughly; if after the effects have 

 passed off, the splint, or any portion of it remains, a second or even 

 a third application may be required, but in the end the ab.sorption 

 of the bony enlargement is effected. 



Sprain of fetlock joint is not of frequent occurrence, but 

 when it does occur is productive of considerable trouble. Hunters 

 and steeplechasers are more often the subjects of this form of 

 lameness than any class of horse; indeed, fracture of the bone 

 known as the suffraginis which enters into the composition of the 

 fetlock, is not at all uncommon; if the fracture consists of a simple 

 breakage in the long axis of the bone there is no reason why 

 union should not take place and the horse be able to do light work; 

 but when as is sometimes the case, the suffraginis is broken into 

 splinters or in the transverse direction there is very little hope of 

 effecting a satisfactory cure, and only in the case of a valuable 

 brood mare should we recommend its being attempted; if, however,. 



