SPLINT. 995 
farther,” otherwise the alteration of structure, if unseen, might distress 
the horse, but would little affect the owner. A diseased action, once 
started up, is apt to involve other parts than those in which it originated. 
Thus, a splint is strictly an exostosis or bony tumor on the inner and 
lower part of the knee-joint; but there are found to be others which this 
definition will not embrace. Here, for instance, are the ordinary kinds 
of splint to be seen, more or less, in every animal subject to man’s usage. 
Number 1 is unsightly. Moreover, it gives an unpleasant jar to 
the rider of the poor horse thus deformed; and few men, when they 
state this fact, ever think of what sensation that which jars 
the equestrian must occasion to the steed. It will produce 
lameness at first; but, this surmounted and the tumor fully 
formed, it causes no inconvenience beyond a loss of elasti- 
city when in motion; and because it provokes no lameness, 
man says it is unattended by feeling. 
Figure 2 is a splint on the side of the leg. It also is 
unsightly, and produces a disagreeable sensation to the 
person in the saddle. Moreover, it is exposed to accidents. 
If the horse has high and close action, the tumor may be , ; 
struck when the foot is being raised. Such a possibility is ne pirreneyt 
not altogether free from danger. The horse, having grazed “°°; 
1. A high 
the swelling, will often fall down as though it were shot. splint, near the 
That circumstance warrants the supposition that these 2 Alowsplint, 
far from the 
i i ibili knee. 
growths are not quite so devoid of sensibility as most Knee) 
horse owners are pleased to assert they are. bony growth on 
the front of the 
The slight enlargement, opposite which stands figure Ds ay 
8, denotes a growth of small size. It may be of no 
great consequence, if it appear on a vacant part of the bone, or on 
a place over which no tendon passes; but it is of serious import, if 
situated beneath a tendon, as then it causes incurable lameness. 
Man having provoked these blemishes, Nature generally strives to 
remove the effects of his stupidity. She will smooth the top of the 
tumor by the interposition of cartilage and of ligament, that the skin 
may not be irritated when passing over these enlargements. She will 
also develop a false bursa on the top of each, thereby causing the integ- 
ument to move with an approach to ease. 
Yet there are other sorts of splints which often are very serious 
affairs. That the reader may comprehend these, let him attend to the 
next engraving. 
1—Represents a splint which has involved the bones of the knee, and 
which has left the horse only the joint formed by the lower end of the 
radius to progress with. This is a sad business. The action is injured 
