MANUAL FOR ARMY HORSESHOERS. 85 



imderrim portion of the wall must be removed to allow perfect 

 drainage. Repeat drainage twice daily imtil pus formation and 

 lameness cease, when the horse can be shod and put to work, pro- 

 tecting the foot with tar and oakum and a leather pad. • In all punc- 

 tured wounds of the foot there is danger from infection with the 

 germs of tetanus, or lockjaw, which is usually present in the soil. 



QUITTOR. 



83. A quittor is a diseased condition of the lateral cartilage or 

 other deep-seated structures of the foot, with the formation of sinuses 

 (tubes). 



Causes. — Suppurating corns, punctures of the sole, frog, or coro- 

 net, in which the cartilage or other tissues are injured primarily, or 

 secondarily by the burrowing of pus. 



Symptoms. — Swelling of the coronet, with one or more openings 

 (sinuses), which communicate with the diseased area and discharge 

 pus. Marked lameness is usally present. Lameness and pus forma- 

 tion are increased by exercise. 



Treatment. — Provide for perfect drainage by removing all 

 underrun horn, trimming away dead tissues, etc.; treat with anti- 

 septic foot baths and apply wet antiseptic dressings. The sinuses 

 may be injected with strong tincture of iodine and a wet pack of 

 one one-thousandth solution of bichloride of mercury (one tablet to 

 a quart of water) be applied. Repeat dressing twice'daily. Perfect 

 rest is essential. If this does not effect a cure an operation will be 

 necessary. 



QUARTER AND TOE CRACKS (SAND CRACKS). 



84. A quarter crack is a split in the horn of the wall at the quarter! 

 a toe crack is a split at the toe. Cracks which affect only the upper 

 border of the hoof are called coronary cracks; those affecting the lower 

 border of the hoof are called low cracks, while those extending from 

 one border to the other are called complete cracks. Horses that have 

 weak quarters are predisposed to it, also those with brittle horn. 



Causes. — Excessive dryness of the hoof, causing brittleness; 

 lack of frog pressure; contraction; long toes; heavy shoes; large nails 

 and nails set too far back. Those cracks which start at the bottom, 

 usually due to shoeing, are of little importance. Those which start 

 at the coronet are usually troublesome, especially when conformation 

 and feet are faulty. 



