ON SPLINTS. 543 
fact, four-eighths or more in length. I do not, however, mean to 
deny that the force is not diffused over both classes of fibres. 
Many, again, may say, that the small metacarpal bones will 
compensate with their elasticity. To satisfy such on this point, 
I only request them to take the metacarpal bones, where they 
are anchylosed by a splint, and in the common situations, and 
use all their strength to separate them ; all they can do will be 
nearly imperceptible without fracture. 
I imagine there are but few who will not grant me what I have 
so strenuously advocated, that an undue quantity of the diffused 
concussion may be throwm upon either of the small metacarpal 
bones, and also the effects of this concussion. 
Why splint should invariably appear on the anterior part of 
the ligament in disease, arises from the heads of the small meta¬ 
carpal bones being acted upon anteriorly. 
From what I have advanced, it will be seen that my decision 
is similar to many others, that the disease called splint origin¬ 
ates in an injury done to the ligament. 
On the first appearance of splint there is generally but slight 
lameness, which is the cause of the animal being continued at 
his regular occupation, and the injured ligament having to per¬ 
form its accustomed duties. To guard against the repeated 
attacks made upon this inflamed part, ossification of the liga¬ 
ment is the result, and is frequently attended with exostosis. 
When the greater part of the ligament has become ossified, the 
ossification will disappear where the splint first commenced, and 
will extend upwards. In many instances, before the entire liga 
ment is involved, it may be observed, that there is an outside splint 
forming from the inner metacarpal bone, presenting such resist¬ 
ance to the os magnum, that its only resource is to diffuse the 
concussion through the os unciforme by the outer metacarpal 
bone; and it having also to accomplish its own action, w^e may 
expect a painful splint. 
W'hen a portion of the outer ligament is ossified sufficiently to 
contend wuth the inner metacarpal bone, we find that more of 
the ligament takes on diseased action ; and, in some cases, they 
w’ill go on contending with one another until both ligaments are 
completely ossified. 
Now that two grand modes of diffusing concussion are cut off, 
or nearly so, the only resource is that of the os unciforme mov¬ 
ing up an inclined plane, but which may be said to act in the 
contrary direction. If the cause that first produced splint still 
exists on the inside of the leg, and the limb is put into regular 
action, each part required to perform its own action, and no 
