QUITTOR. 1069 



sometimes occur as complications. The first only increases the 

 duration of the process ; but inflammation of the pedal- joint generally 

 proves fatal, whilst purulent inflammation of the fibro-fatty frog 

 and of the subcoronary connective tissue are often the forerunners 

 of other grave conditions (see foregoing section on "Picked-up 

 Nails," &c). 



Symptoms. As purulent inflammation of the parachondrium 

 is the starting-point of quittor, the first symptom is a diffuse swelling 

 of the coronet and of the bulb of the heel. This inflammation may 

 in rare instances result in resolution ; but generally an abscess forms, 

 and discharges pus mixed with blood, after which the swelling partially 

 disappears, leaving a sinus 1 to 2 inches in depth. After some time 

 this closes up and a fresh swelling forms, which takes the same course. 

 The process is repeated at varying intervals. Often there are several 

 sinuses which communicate with one another. In old-standing 

 cases the wall of the hoof is thrust outwards and the horn is ringed, 

 while the coronet may show the scars of several old sinuses. The 

 depth to which ring-formation has extended is an approximate guide 

 to the age of the condition, if one bears in mind that the wear of 

 the foot is about | inch per month. 



Lameness is not often very severe, and may be so slight as to 

 allow the animals to continue at slow work. It bears no fixed relation 

 to the seriousness of the disease. With each recurrence of 

 inflammation, however, the pain increases, and, if the pedal-joint or 

 fibro-fatty frog be implicated, it always becomes very marked, and 

 then shows the peculiarities distinctive of disease in the regions 

 named. As the synovial membrane of the pedal- joint is in close 

 contact with the inner surface of the anterior portion of the cartilage, 

 the pedal- joint is occasionally invaded — almost necessarily with 

 fatal results. This termination would be more common but for 

 the fact that the adjoining lateral ligaments usually become inflamed 

 and thickened before necrosis actually extends to the cartilage in 

 contact with the synovial dilatation. 



Prognosis. It is very difficult to foretell the duration and probable 

 results of quittor. As a rule, coronary sinuses heal more rapidly 

 than those of the lateral cartilage. In consequence of the process 

 generally extending from the posterior towards the anterior ex- 

 tremity of the cartilage, the chance of early recovery is greater the 

 nearer the sinus lies to the posterior end and to the upper border of 

 the cartilage ; absence of swelling in front of the sinus is a specially 

 favourable symptom. Great swelling, severe lameness, abundance 

 of discharge, and deep sinuses suggest a long continuance of the 



