The Columbus journal., 1884-04-02
stSplink"

By many persons splints are regarded,
after a horse has attained a certain age,
as q necessity to his existence. and
though there is a deal of truth in the
observation that scarcely one horse at
I've years old is unaffected, yet it is not
necessarily true. Splints are to be
found among all classes of hOrse-ilesh,
but tho question of their presence. in
everY instance. is not proved by prscti-
cal Experience, and. undoubtedly, their
existence Is materially controlled BY
the circumstances under which the AMI
NAL has been reared. and the manage
mont he is subjected to, both before
and after being put to work.
Naturs and Cduses.-A splint is .
conversion of the fibrous material
uniting the csnnon-bone and plint-bOnes
into bone. Generally there is q 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,
buu IcIC - " OAtCu RAoNuSSu Oy .
blow or kick. Splints found on the
limbs of sged horses are. As q 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.
IS hero it usually interferes to some ex-
tent with the working of the suspensory
ligament. When close under the ruse
it also frequently binders the proper
fiexing 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 the forma-
tion of a splint is accompanied by an
.outgrowth of bone and the inflamma-
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 cast of
splints. Of other causes, conclusion is
the main, and injury from external viO-
lcnce.
Symptoms.-Lameness of the animal
will draw attention to the limb, and on
passing the hand down the groove, be-
tween the cannon and splint bones, an
enlargement will be felt; when there
are two or three little elevations in a
line, it is termed q chain splint. In
young horses the lameness, whilst the
splint is forming, is most marked; it is
vevinced when the weight of the body is
thrown on the limb, and just so much
whether the horse is run on soft or hard
ground. The leg, particularly when
the ~suspensory ligament is interfered
with, is brought with an outward move
ment to the ground, and often there IS
a disinclinatiOn of flexiOn of the knee
to its fullest extent. There is pain on
pressure of the part where the splint is
forming. and more heat in that leg than
the other.
Treatment.-Frequently in young
horses, unless the lameness is very
acute, the throwing out of work, feed
ing on low diet and putting on a wet
bandage will be sufficient. In the more
severe cases, and the patient is older.
he should be we'll prepared for and
have a dose of physic, followed by q
low. succulent diet. The leg should be
well fomented and warm wet bandage
applied and kept continually wet.
Cooling lotions are good aids. As soon
As the heat of the leg is sufficiently re-
duccd, blistering is necessary, and per-
haps nothing is better than the applica-
ton of ointment of biniodide of mercury
for three or four days c~onsecutively, till
q good scurf is raised. In the course
of from two to four weeks. rs q general
rule. the horse will be fit for use again.
Where the splint is large and the lame
ness obstinate, setoning. or that form of
firing known as pyrO-punctuatiOn. is
adopted. In the most severe cases the
operation of periOsteOtOmy is prac-
ticed. In q general way, however,
these latter operations are not requi-
site. and for the former cases nothing
more than has already been spoken of
is necessary. DR.. Smith m Farm and
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