NEW TREATMENT OF SPLINTS. 
505 
ration, I call for distinction, subcutaneous periosteotomy, or 
division of the periosteum under the skin, without a corre¬ 
sponding external incision. In human surgery an operation, the 
same in principle, is performed for nodes, but by an incision 
from without, the scar consequent upon which it is so desirable 
in veterinary practice to avoid. Some practitioners cut through 
the skin to the bone with a hot iron: this is a severe remedy. 
The wound takes a much longer time to heal, and leaves a 
cicatrix, which is liable to abrasions and bruises from the opposite 
foot by cutting, when on the inside of the leg, and that is a very 
serious defect. 
The outside of the fore and hind legs are most liable to these 
diseases from kicks and contusions; next, the inside of the 
fore-arm or radius, where it has no muscular covering, and also 
the sharp edge of the tibia, and sometimes the pastern bones, 
from timber-leaping, See. I have operated successfully on all 
these parts, and have found no other mark left than a cicatrized 
spot where the instrument was inserted. The utility of the ope¬ 
ration has been confirmed by several practitioners; and pupils 
who left the College during the recess last autumn have disse¬ 
minated it widely among their veterinary friends. 
In chronic cases previous preparation is seldom necessary, 
beyond keeping the parts for a short time wet with cold water; 
but where the inflammation is acute, attended with swelling, and 
a tense adhesion of the skin, these symptoms should be first 
allayed by topical bleeding, fomentations, poultices, and the 
administration of a purgative, until the skin is relaxed. 
Commence the operation by taking up the skin between the 
fingers and thumb of the left hand, and make an orifice with 
a knife, lancet, or with scissars, sufficiently large to admit the 
probe-pointed periosteotomy knife, which passes under the skin 
the whole length of the ossification; then withdraw it, cutting 
through the thickened periosteum down to the bone. Contrary 
to my expectations, I have found this division of the inflamed 
membrane attended with very slight pain to the animal. If the 
disease or lameness be of long standing, a small tape or thread 
seton may be inserted, and kept in a few days. 
The operation is very easily performed in from one to three 
minutes; but I consider it necessary only when there exists 
actual lameness : this, in the majority of cases, is immediatehj 
removed. A slight inflammation and sv^elling supervene the 
next day; the part may be fomented, and moderate exercise 
given ; and generally in about ten days or a fortnight, the animal 
is fit for work. The enlargement considerably subsides, and, 
in some cases, becomes quite absorbed. 
VOL. vin. 3 z 
