240 DISEASES OF BONE. 



nutrition; the result being that death of the affected portion 

 of bone ensues. 



A splint which does not interfere with a joint, tendon, ligament 

 or nerve, causes lameness only during its period of formation. At 

 the same time the process of formation often occupies a consider- 

 able period, and, aiter it has stopped, it is liable to begin again on 

 receiving a fresh stimulus from direct or indirect injury. 



TREATMENT. — If the only symptom of trouble is a slight in- 

 flammatory condition which can be felt by running the hand down 

 the affected leg, no severe measures, such as blistering or firing, 

 should be adopted for its reduction ; for they sometimes cause an 

 extension of the inflammatory process which would injuriously 

 affect the animal's soundness. Besides, it is always advisable to 

 let " well " alone. If there be no immediate hurry, even if the 

 animal is slightly lame, it would be well to give him a rest, keep 

 him on a moderate amount of laxative food (grass and carrots), 

 and try the combined effects of massage and pressure on the bony 

 enlargement. With this object rub the part with the hand or 

 ball of the thumb several times a day, taking care not to render 

 the skin sore ; and place on the splint a pad, over which apply a 

 tight cotton wadding bandage (p. 44). In employing massage, 

 use a little lanoline or sweet oil, which would greatly diminish 

 the irritating effect of the friction on the skin. The pad for the 

 .application of pressure might be made of any suitable material : a 

 piece of india-rubber covered with wash-leather, for instance. 

 While carrying out this treatment, cautiously test the patient's 

 capability of standing work from time to time, and use judgment 

 in d -awing conclusions from his action. Failing to obtain success 

 after, say, a month's trial of these mild, though often very bene- 

 ficial, measures ; apply two or three blisters of biniodide of mercury 

 ointment (1 to 8 of lard or vaseline), at intervals of a fortnight or 

 longer. If blistering prove insufficient to remove the lameness, 

 try the operation of cutting down on the splint (periosteotomy), 

 or remove it with a gouge or chisel, supposing that it is not 

 close to the knee. In performing periosteotomy on a splint near 

 the knee, care should of course be taken not to make an incision 

 that might in any way lead to open joint. Periosteotomy and 

 cutting out splints are operations which should be undertaken only 

 by persons who are well acquainted with the anatomy of the 

 part. 



If treating horses which have to " pay their way " at all 

 hazards, or if the nature of the splint does not admit of mild 

 measures, it will generally be best, in the first instance, to try 

 periosteotomy or surgical removal of the splint. 



