THE HORSE, ITS DISEASES. 445 



to more violent strain, whence inflammation may set in, and a bony 

 deposit result. Raising the outer heel of the shoe more than ordinarily, 

 contributes in some degree to produce an unnatural strain upon this bone. 

 The term splint is applied also to those bony tumors that sometimes ap- 

 pear on the outer shank bone. These are more readily accounted for, 

 as this part of the leg is peculiarly liable to blows and other injuries. 



How to know it. — In the first stage of the disease, while the splint is 

 forming, there is inflammation of the periosteum or bone-covering mem- * 

 brane ; there is lameness : and though no swelling may yet be visible, 

 you can discover it by passing the open hand down the side of the leg, 

 with the thumb on the small bone, or rather in the groove formed by the 

 two small bones. A small, hard swelling will be found, which, being 

 pressed upon, will cause the animal to flinch. 



When the tumor is well-developed and plain to the sight, it is not gen- 

 erally attended with lameness, from the fact that the periosteum has ac- 

 commodated itself to the new formation, and the inflammation, with 

 consequent soreness, has subsided. Then it happens that a very little 

 splint will often cause more lameness than one which is so large as to be 

 easily seen at a distance. 



In cases of much inflammation and extreme soreness, the horse stands 

 resting the toe upon the ground, with the leg slightly bent ; and this 

 great heat may extend itself by sympathy to the soft parts of the leg 

 nearest the splint, but this is seldom the case. 



Sometimes the animal is apparently free from all trouble when merely 

 put to a walk, but will discover extreme lameness in trotting — the extra 

 concussion producing much pain, and examination, as previously directed, 

 will disclose the seat of the trouble. 



What to do. — If the protuberance is small, and there is no lameness, 

 do nothing, unless the horse is valuable and the tumor is unsightly. It 

 will disappear by natural absorption as the animal increases in years, 

 provided there is no directly exciting cause constantly at work. An 

 unskillful attempt to cure will sometimes lead to lameness and an increase 

 of the splint. 



If it is a recent formation, and treatment is thought necessary, observe 

 whether the irritation is such as to have produced extreme tenderness of 

 the part, and swelling of the soft parts of the leg. If so, lessen the 

 inflammation, and thus also the soreness, by cool, softening poultices, or 

 frequent application of cold salt and water. Then shave the hair off 

 from over and around the protuberance, and rub in, at evienjug, the fol- 

 lowing mercurial ointment : 



No. 184. 1 Drachm biniodide of mercury, 



1 Ounce lard. 



