THE MODERN HORSE DOCTOR. 389 



in the parts above the hoof, against which the horse is apt to 

 strike the other foot, and thus excite persistent inflammation, 

 leaving a denuded, uneven, sanguineous sore, very difficult to 

 heal ; for if the animal does not bruise it with the other foot, he 

 lacerates it in lying down or getting up. If we attempt to pro- 

 tect it from this sort of injuries, our only resource is bandage ; 

 and we have remarked, in another part of this work, that band- 

 ages do not agree with horseflesh,* when applied to denuded 

 surfaces ; therefore such cases require considerable tact and 

 patience. 



Treatment. — We first examine the sinus by means of a small- 

 sized, flexible bougie, such as are used on young persons. Being 

 flexible, we are enabled to trace the cavity, whatever direction it 

 may take. Having discovered that, we make up our mind as to 

 the treatment. Should it descend towards the sole, it is caused 

 either by prick, corn, or gravel, which can be ascertained on care- 

 ful examination. In order to make such, we remove the shoe, 

 pare the foot, and perhaps poultice it, with the double object of 

 softening the hoof and removing obstructions to the lower outlet, 

 if any there be. Whether the cause be evident or not, we waste 

 no time in injecting the sinus, (which is practised by many,) but 

 make a small opening in the sole, as near the base of the sinus 

 as possible, and invite a discharge from it by means of a poultice 

 placed only in contact with the sole. A free discharge once 

 secured from the lower outlet, we have no fears of a cure. So 

 soon as a discharge sets up, inject from below strong tinc- 

 ture of bloodroot, two or three times, and then sprinkle some 

 bloodroot in the cavity ; there is no need of any bandage ; let 

 the matter have free vent. The upper orifice will now close ; 

 it is only necessary to moisten this region with compound tinc- 

 ture of aloes, or some other traumatic. 



We have tried all manner of ways to cure quittor, and find 

 there is nothing like making an opening below the sinus. A bad 

 'case, however, will generally require time, and some variation 

 in the treatment, according to the nature of the case. We must 

 not, in our attention to the foot, overlook the horse ; his health 

 must be attended to ; an occasional dose of alterative medicine 

 (sulphur and sassafras) may be given, and the common allowance 



