DISEASES AND INJURIES OF THE LEGS. 197 



In feeling for splint, the opposite leg should be held np in order to 

 compel the animal to brace up the tendons of the affected leg, when any 

 inequality about the bones will be more easily felt; and secondly, the lame 

 leo- should be raised in such a manner as to bring the knee of the horse 

 under the arm of the examiner: in this position the tendons are fully 

 relaxed, and the bones can be felt to advantage. 



In either of these positions the leg is favorably placed for examination, 

 and if the fingers are then applied along the leg and into the channel 

 between the inner small and great bone, the incipient splint will probably 

 be detected by the inequality, if any such yet exist; or by the pain evinced 

 on the application of pressure to the inflamed part. 



In some cases, however, the incipient splint is so small, and possibly 

 the seat of the inflammatory action may at first be so completely in the 

 inter-osseous ligaments between the bones that nothing can be felt; and 

 the only indication leading to a suspicion that a splint is forming consists 

 in the horse going very lame at a trot, whilst sound at a walk. A little 

 extra heat may perhaps be felt on careful examination. The development 

 of a splint may in such cases be expected and must be carefully watched 

 for. The lameness and heat, if the horse is rested for a few days, will 

 sometimes disappear; but will I'eappear if the animal is again worked. 



Williams' statement of the peculiarities of splint lameness is as fol- 

 lows. 



' ' The lameness may precede the appearance of any swelling or deposit, 

 and in such a case it is apt to be confounded with that arising from other 

 diseases. But if the following observations are kept in remembrance, no 

 mistake need be made: 



" 1st. The age of the animal. The young horse is most liable to splint 

 lameness, the older horse to navicular disease. 



" 2d. The peculiarity of action. A horse lame from splint will walk 

 apparently or nearly sound, but will trot very lame, the drop of the head 

 and body upon the sound side being very great, and out of all proportion 

 to the apparent soundness of the walk. 



" 3d. A want of flexion may be observed at the knee. 



'' 4th. When the patient first comes out, and is made to trot, he may 

 go moderately sound, but after a time the lameness increases, the con- 

 cussion being a cause of pain. In navicular disease the lameness gener- 

 ally decreases with exercise. 



*' 5th. Pressure upon the part of the leg where splint is likely to be 



