DISEASES AND INJURIES OF THE LEGS. 



195 



A simple splint, when not causing lameness, and in a position removed 

 from either articulation or tendon, is said by Williams not to be looked 

 upon as an unsoundness, but all the other forms must be classified as 

 causes of unsoundness, as they are at any time liable to cause lameness 

 and are indicative of more disease than is apparent either to the eye or 



FiQ. 100. 



Inner side view of the bones of the 

 fore-leg in healthy condition. 



1. Great metacarpal, or cannon bone. 



2. Inner small metacarpal or splint 

 bone. 



3. Outer small metacarpal. 



4. Sesamoid bones. 



5. Os suffraginis, or pastern bone. 



Fig. 101. 



1. Great metacarpal bone. 



2. Outer small metacarpal bone. 



3. Inner small metacarpal. 



4. Sesamoid bones. 



touch of the examiner; disease involving articulating surfaces, ligamentous 

 structures, or interfering with the movement of a tendon. 



Splints fully consolidated to do not, as a rule, cause lameness, nor do 

 they affect the gait in an ajipreciable degree. 



Etiology. — Although the immediate causes of splint are irritation 



