SPLINTS 6i 



the vertical movements of the inner splint-bone are exaggerated, and the 

 interosseous ligament being thus damaged, subsequently becomes inflamed. 

 The outer interosseous ligament is immune from similar injury, since the 

 unciform does not rest entirely upon the head of the outer small meta- 

 carpal, but articulates also with the large metacarpal, over which the 

 concussion therefore on this side of the limb is distributed, and 

 there is no abnormal tension of the interosseous ligament. This is 

 Havemann's theory, and it is in accordance with the much more 

 frequent occurrence of splints on the inner than on the outer aspect 

 of the limb. DieckerhofiF maintained that splints were due to tension 

 of the fascia of the forearm. This fascia is attached to the periosteum 

 of the metacarpal bones, and during certain movements of the limb 

 the fascia is made very tense, with the result that considerable traction 

 is exerted on the periosteum, leading ultimately, in DieckerholFs opinion, 

 to splint formation. 



Splints have also been attributed to breeding with "weedy" sires or 

 splint-affected dams. Heredity may possibly have some influence on the 

 causation of this affection, but there is little doubt that in the majority of 

 cases splints are due to constant concussion when the animal is worked 

 whilst immature on a hard road or pavement. Occasionally the cause is 

 a blow. 



Macqueen defines the condition as a bony enlargement which is the 

 result of periostitis and ostitis. 



An animal affected with splints moves stiffly, the action of the fore- 

 limbs being cramped, confined, and stilty. In some respects the action 

 resembles that of an animal affected with navicular disease. The condition 

 is, however, easily distinguished from navicular disease, since splint 

 lameness is accentuated with exercise, whilst in navicular disease lameness 

 is diminished. 



Diagnosis should be completed by manipulation. This presents most 

 difficulty when the splint is placed posteriorly, or is very small. 



Splints on the outer aspect of the limb are sometimes associated with 



