DISEASES OF HORSES 269 



don in front, the lateral cartilage, or the coffin bone and joints as well 

 are involved. In all cases of subhorny quittpr much relief is experi- 

 enced when the slough comes away, and rapid recovery is made. If, 

 however, after the lapse of a few days, the lameness remains and the 

 wound continues to discharge a thin unhealthy matter, the prob- 

 abilities are that the disease is spreading, and pus collecting in the 

 deeper parts of the foot. 



Treatment. Hot baths and poultices are to be used until thei 

 presence of pus can be determined, when the tumor is to be opened 

 with a knife or sharp-pointed iron heated white hot. The hot batha 

 and poultices are now continued for a few days or until the entire 

 slough has come away and the discharge is diminished, when dress- 

 ings recommended in the treatment for cutaneous quittor are to be 

 used until recovery is completed. In cases where the discharge 

 comes from a cleft between the upper border of the hoof and the 

 coronary band, always pare away the loosened horn, so that the soft 

 tissues beneath are fully exposed, care being taken not to injure the 

 healthy parts. This operation permits of a thorough inspection of 

 the diseased parts, the easy removal of all gangrenous tissue, and a 

 better application of the necessary remedies and dressings. The 

 only objection to the operation is that the patient is prevented from 

 being early returned to work. 



When the probe shows that pus has collected under the coffin 

 bone the sole must be pared through, and if caries of the bone is pres- 

 ent the dead parts cut away. After either of these operations the 

 wound is to be dressed with the oakum balls, saturated in the bi- 

 chloride of mercury solution, as previously directed, and the band- 

 ages tightly applied. Generally the discharge for the first two or 

 three days is so great that the dressings need to be changed every 

 twenty-four hours ; but when the discharge diminishes, the dressing 

 may be left on from one to two weeks. Before the patient is returned 

 to work, a bar shoe should be applied, since the removed quarter or 

 heel can only be made perfect again by a new growth from the 

 coronary band. Tendinous or cartilaginous complications are to be 

 treated as directed under those headings. 



CARTILAGINOUS QUITTOR. 



This form of quittor may commence as a primary inflammation 

 of the lateral cartilage, but in the great majority of cases it appears 

 as a sequel to cutaneous or subhorny quittor. It may affect either 

 the fore or hind feet, but is most commonly seen in the former. Aa 

 a rule, it attacks but one foot at a time, and but one of the cartilages, 

 generally the inner one. It is always a serious affection for the rea- 

 son that, in many cases, it can only 'be cured by a surgical operation, 

 requiring a thorough knowledge of the anatomy of the parts in- 

 volved and much surgical skill. 



Causes. Direct injuries to the coronet, such as trampling, 

 pricks, burns, and the blow of some heavy falling object which may 

 puncture, bruise, or crush the cartilage, are the common direct causes 

 of cartilaginous quittor. Besides being a sequel to the other forma 

 of quittor, it sometimes develops as a complication in suppurative 



