544 
ON SPLINTS. 
accommodation being granted, the os unciforme'has to move up 
its inclined plane, while the os magnum is propelled against the 
perpendicular head of the inner metacarpal bone, and which can¬ 
not move in the slightest degree; the consequence is, inflamma¬ 
tion of this part of the bone, or the last vestige of the ligament, 
accompanied with exostosis : and this is what is called a splint 
close upon the knee, and which every veterinarian knows to be 
troublesome. The common treatment consists in the application 
of counter-irritants, the result of which is, that the inflammation 
is removed, but not the cause or eflhct of it; and this is the rea¬ 
son why so many horses that have been treated for splint go 
sound on being first put to work, but which soundness does not 
always continue. They may be free from lameness on leaving 
the stable, and return dead lame from the cause continuing to 
operate. 
I shall now endeavour to explain how a horse with splint be¬ 
comes sound, or apparently so, and is rendered useful. From the 
numerous inspections I have made, I am brought to the conclusion, 
that the head of the inner metacarpal bone is absorbed suffi¬ 
ciently to bring it on a level with the surface of the large meta¬ 
carpal, while that where the os unciforme rubbed becomes also 
flat. The changes may go on imperceptibly, as when the liga¬ 
ment has been a long; time in becoming; ossified. It is beautiful 
to see, in some specimens of what might be called chronic disease 
of this kind, the grades of absorption of the heads of these 
bones, each of them changing their angle as required. 
If the whole ligament become ossified or diseased at once, it 
will be found that severe lameness is the consequence ; and, of 
course, a longer time will be required to elapse before a cure can 
be expected. 
Splints seldom occur on the outside of the limb, independent 
of one or more on the inside; and when such do arise, I should 
imagine, from the arrangement of the bones, that the lameness 
would be of a trifling character. 
It has been noticed by some, that splints are a concomitant of 
navicular disease ; but this seems to depend upon that bursa 
being thrown partially out of action, from which more concussion 
will be thrown on the carpals and metacarpus, and splints will 
be produced. 
In the treatment of this disease I cannot boast of any notable 
specific. To remove the cause, it has been often said, is half to 
effect a cure. To do this in all cases is impossible ; but in this dis¬ 
ease many of the causes maybe mitigated,—as, in horses that turn 
their toes outwards, they can have the outer quarter kept lower 
