The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-07-26
cI'I4! Nj.
To lie Edjtor IF The CccH Win:

Ia lie Editor IF The cecil Win:
This is a disease oG the bones, very
common among horses and rarely seen
affecting animals of the bovine race. its
mode OF prNpagation, course and termi-
nation being similar to SPAWN and ring
bone. The seat of splint is on the in
side of the long bone (metacarpaD between
the knee and the fctlock Joint, and is very
rarely found affecting the metatarsal
bone of the hind-leg. Splnts are cause!
when the horse is going az Z moderate
pace, the trot, Or gentle gall0p, where
the animal is more kept up to the bride,
but ostits is produced only when the
animal is put to hard quick ran.
y simple spIint, when not causing
lameness, and in position removed llom
either articulation or tendon, is not look
ed upon as an unsoundncss, but all other
forms of splLt must be classified as
causes of unsoundness as they are at any
time liable to cause lameness, aud are
indicative Of more disease than is appar-
ent either to the eye or touch Of the ex-
amincr.
\ simple spint on the outside OF the
leg is more apt to cause lameness than
one on the inner side, on account Of it's
interference with the eXtcnsor tcnGOnS
of that leg.
The Gauss Of splint are conclusion
and hereditary prediSposition, more es-
peGially that arising from the shape and
form OF the leg, which descends from
parent to offspring.
Splints are most generally found in
horses that are newly put to work, and
in colts that are allowed to gallnp and
run in the fields. The class of horse
most subject is the light-bred horse, or
that which is called upon to 60 beyond a
walking pace i'll other words, the horse
We generally use Cor light driving.
Heavy cart horses seldom have spiHtS,
but there is no reason why they should
not, provided their legs are subjected to
IN undue amount of conclusion. Splints
are eXostoles ebony growths) due t. II
circumscri5ed superficial inflammation
Of the bone and periostcUm, (eo"cring of
the bonc) Splints do not always Pre-
duCe lameness, but the lameneSS nay
generally be looked for. II the arlint is
of the simple and ordinary kind and the
horse is young, and before he is broken
in, lamcness is but seldom seen.
Sometimes the lameness of splint is
present before the appearance OF any
swelling or deposit, and in such case it
is apt to be conlounded with that lame
ness arising from other diseases. The
degree of lamencss differs III some it is
very triiiing, while i'll others the lame
ness is very excessive, the horse being
scarcely able to put any weight upon the
affected limb, standing with the toe only
touching the ground, with great heat and
swelling of the part affected, at the same
time suffering from constitutional dis
turbanco to Il considerable degree but
cases Of such extreme suffering are for
tunately very rare.
TREATMENT.
There are many different modes of
treating Splint, all of which src more or
less successful. Percival had remark
able success by the mere application of
cold water congresses and bandages.
Others use blisterng ointments, their
preference being divided among the diff
ferent preparations Of cantharides, mcr-
curry, and iodine. The seton inserted
over the seat Of the disease is recon-
menacd very highly by some writers, but
the successful effects accredited to it
have not been fully demonstrated, at
least, as far as my own experience goes.
The more general and at the same time,
the most el1ectual mode CT treatment is
the firing iron. This iron is composed!
OF number of line points. which are
heated to Il white heat and inserted into
the deposit, and a canthardes blister ap-
piled Immediately over the seat of the
disease. Others perform the operation
Of 'Periostiotormy, but the results of
this operation are hot always satisfac-
tory. The firing and blstering mode of
treatment is the most eilectual and the
one that Is most generally adopted.