The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1884-03-06
ssSplints.o


By many persons splints are regarded,
after a horse has attained a certain age,
rs a necessity to his existence, and
though there is a deal of truth in the
observation that scarcely. One horse at
five years old is unaffected, yet it is not
necessarily true. Splints are to be
found among all classes OF horse-flesh,
but the question of their presence. in
every instance, is not proved by practl-
cal experience, and, undoubtedly, their
existence is materially controlled by
the circumstances under which the ami
NAL has been reared and the manage
ment he is subjected to, both before
and after being put to work.
Nature and Causes.-A splint is a
uniting the cannon-bone and plint-bones
into bone. Generally there is a small
bony outgrowth present with it, but
the condition may exist without such
evidence. Splint in the fore legs is
more frequently found on the inner
side, being more under the center OF
gravity, and the limbs having a greater
liability to conclusion. In the hind
| legs it is generally on the other side,
| and here is more often produced by q
blow or kick. Splints found on tho
limbs of aged horses are, IS a rule, OF
but little Importance, but those on ami
mails three or four years old are very
Objectionable. A large splint is more
serious than a small one, owing to the
liability of the animal striking it with
the other leg when in action. Position,
too, carries a deal of weight; when far
back on the leg it is a great drawback,
as here it usually interferes to some ex-
tent with the working of the suspensory
ligament. When close under the ruse
it also frequently hinders the proper
fexing, of the joint, and in this place is
more likely to be struck by the oppo-
site leg;. when situated on the out
side of the limb a splint is seldom of
any consequence. When he forma-
ton of a splint is accompanied by an
outgrowth of bone and the infiamma-
tory action in the part is got rid of
through the case being properly
treated, the probability is that the out
growth will become partially if not
wholly absorbed; but a splint, when
once formed, always exists, whether
there be any decrease or not in its size.
Hereditary predisposition has undoubt-
eddy much influence in the case OF
splints. Of other causes, conclusion is
the main, and injury from external vic.
lence.
Symptoms.-Lameness of the animal
will draw attention to the limb, and on
passing the hand down the groove, be-
tween the nno and splint bones, an
enlargement will be felt; when there
line, it is termed a. chain 'splint. In
-~,..o I@,,1 H. ~-a xyh,11k Az
splint is forming, is most marked; it is
evinced when the weight of the body il
thrown on the limb, and Just so much
whether the horse is run on soft OIL hard
ground. The leg, particularly wheH
with, is brought with an outward move
ment to the ground, and often there is
a disinclination of flexiop of the knee
to its fullest extent. There is pain OF
pressure of the part where the splint il
forming, and more heat in that leg thar
the other.
acknowledgement in young
horses, unless the lameness is very
acute, the throwing GU of work, feed
ing on low diet and putting on a we
bandage will be sufficient. Inthe NOR
sever cases, and the patient is older
uc Suoulu NC VIGIL pIePdTcu loI an
have a dose of physic, followed by
low, s~ucculent diet. The leg should b.
well fomented and a warm wet bandag'
applied and kept continually wet
Cooling lotions are good aids. As sool
as the heat of the leg is sufficiently re
duced, blistering is necessary, and per
haps nothing is better han the applica
ton of ointment of biniodide of mercur,
for three or foul days ~consecutively, til
a good scurf is raised. In the cours
of from two to four weeks, as a genera
rule, the horse will be fit for use again
Where the splint is large and the lame
ness obstinate, setoning, or that form o
firing known as pyro-punctuation,
adopted. In the most were cases tn
operation of periosteotomy is prac
ticed. In a general way, however
these latter operations are not requi
site, and for the former cases nothin,
more than has already been spoken @
is necessarily Smith in Farm an
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