The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-04-19
s'Splints. "

BY many persons splints are regarded,
after horse has attained certain age,
as 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-hesh,
but the question of their presence. in
every instance, is not proved by practi-
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
conversion of the fibrous material
uniting the cannon-bone and plint-hones
into bone. Generally there is 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 tits generally on the other side,
and here is more often produced by
blow or kick. Splints found on the
limbs of aged horses are, as 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 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 binders the proper
tiexing 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 splint is seldom of
any consequence. When the forma-
ton of 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 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 vio-
lencc.
| 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 lamencss, whilst the
| splint is forming, is most marked; it is
evinced 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 igamcnt is interfered
with, is brought with an outward move
ment to the ground, and often there is
| disnclination of tleXiOn 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.
| ITedtment.-Frequcntly in young
horses, unless the lameness is very
acute, the throwing out of work, feed
ing on low diet and putting on wet
bandage will be sufficient. Inthe more
severe cases. and the patient is, older,
he should be well prepared for and
have a dose of physic, followed by a
/ low, succulent diet. The leg should be
! well fomcntcd and q warm wet bandagC
applied and kept continually wet
Cooling lotions are good aids. As soor
as the heat of the LEG is sufficiently re
duced, blistering is necessary, and per
haps nothing IS better than the applica
ton of ointment of biniodidc of mercury
for three or four days consecutively, til
good scurf is raised. In the course
of from two to four weeks, as a genera
rule, the horse viii he tit for use again
Where the splint is large and the lame
ness obstinate, setoning, or that form o
firing known as pyropTnctuaticn, i
adopted, In the most severe cases thu
operation of periOsteotOmy is prac
ticed. In a general way, however
these latter operations are not requi
site, and for the former cases nothing
more than has already been spoken o
is necessary. Dr., Smith la Farm an
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