REPORT ON THE DISEASES OF FARM HORSES. 339 



be delayed and prolonged, but in a few days longer probably, 

 particularly during a return of milder weather, all the severe 

 signs, as extreme halting and pain, will be evidenced. This 

 peculiarity belongs to foot lameness, arising from the causes 

 enumerated ; and in the case of severe inflammation having 

 commenced, and running on to suppuration, lameness increases 

 every hour, until the shoe and offending nail be removed. At 

 another time the same results may arise from injuries inflicted 

 by a nail which has not been allowed to remain in the foot, 

 owing to irritation from the presence of dirt, sand, &c, which 

 has worked its way into the injured parts. 



In such cases, tbeiefore, being assured that matter has formed 

 by the extreme lameness, throbbing of the arteries at the pastern, 

 heat of foot, and general disturbance of the system, remove at 

 once the shoe carefully ; ascertain the exact seat of the disease, 

 and open the hoof at the nail hole, without cutting too much of 

 the horn away ; secure a provision for the safe exit of all matter, 

 which may be hastened by hot fomentations, followed by hot 

 poultices. Eelief is soon obtained if the proceeding is properly 

 done ; and when the shoe is again applied the nail must be 

 omitted at the part, and, to avoid the entrance of dirt to the 

 wound, a little dry tow may be laid lightly over it, and a leather 

 sole placed under the shoe before being nailed on, or a piece of 

 leather cut to fit the space between the foot and shoe will act 

 very well, and has the advantage of being made to fit tightly, 

 and admit of removal without disturbing the shoe. 



Quittor is a disease arising from injuries to the coronet or 

 top of the hoof, either by treads, blows, pricks, or the ulceration 

 consequent upon the formation and exit of matter from the hoof. 

 It consists in a destruction of the parts and the existence of 

 sinuses — or pipes of the farriers — with walls of condensed tissue, 

 leading to the interior of the structures of the hoof. These also 

 further become damaged by the presence of matter which cannot 

 obtain a natural exit, but continues to destroy surrounding parts 

 and leave the tortuous canals in their place ramifying in all direc- 

 tions, until the animal is become worthless from the great lame- 

 ness and irreparable damage done to the component parts, hoof, 

 bones, and softer tissues. 



The disease is always chronic, and if improperly treated, pro- 

 tracted, and unprofitable ; but well managed, the cure is easy. 



Treatment, — Keep the parts thoroughly clean and the animal 

 at rest ; poultice to induce a more vigorous exit of matter, and 

 afterward inject strong zinc lotion, or weak sulphuric, or nitric 

 acid, solutions of nitrate of silver, or caustic potass, or bichlo- 

 ride of mercury in hydrochloric acid and water, five or ten grains 

 to the ounce. 



Proper attention should be paid to the foot. A proper level 



