DISEASES. 709 



the possible complications and bequelae. The loss, or the deform- 

 ity of a phalanx, which are sometimes armng the sequelae of the 

 felon of man, are in him accidents which never give rise to serious 

 comphcations, or are quickly forgotten, while in the horse suck 

 complications are equivalent to the death of the animal. ^ 



V. J^tiology. — The causes are the same as those of a simple 

 quittor, which is complicated with the tendinous kind; this is also 

 observed after the subcutaneous abscesses, frequently resulting 

 from bruises, or even from punctered wounds. It is most com- 

 monly met with in low-bred horses, and Fisher says that it is 

 more frequent, and less malignant, in young than in adult ani- 

 mals ; according to this writer, it is a common manifestation of 

 distemper. Irritating muds favor its development in the same 

 manner in active as in simple quittor. It often appears without 

 appreciable causes. 



VI. Treatment. — When tendinous quittor is superficial, it re- 

 quires about the same treatment as the simple kind, except that, 

 in this case, the counter openings must be made early to prevent 

 the sloughs, migrations of the pus and the gangrene. The sur- 

 geon must not forget that the inflammation in this affection must 

 ordinarily terminate by suppuration, and he must bear in mind 

 that there is a possibility of the modification of the inflamed cell- 

 ular tissue, and that the mortified portion of that tissue must 

 slough out, as their presence, too long continued, may be very 

 dangerous. The general indication is to prevent, as much as pos- 

 sible, the accumulation of the pus, an indication which will be 

 best fulfilled by making open^ings for its escape, even before the 

 formation of the abscess. As the tissues which surround the pus 

 are very resisting, nature will not be able, or if so, only with great 

 difficulty, to effect the expulsion of these matters. It is for this 

 reason that it is necessary to assist her operations by making an 

 opening for the escape of the pus and of the slough. Tbe opera- 

 tion is without danger ; but if it is not jjerformed in good time, 

 lesions will be likely to spread, the disease cease to remain a local 

 trouble, and the life of the animal become compromised. 



It is also more necessary to make an opening when the puru- 

 lent secretion is established, for in this case it is important to 

 avoid delay and to facilitate its escape. A simjDle longitudinal in- 

 cision, four or five centimeters long, is sufficient, when the collec- 

 tion lies immediately under the cutaneous organ. This incision 



