388 BUEEAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 



srniioRXY QfirniH. 



This Is the most coiiiiiion form of the disease. It is gencnilly seen 

 in but one foot at a. time, and more often in the fore than in the hind 

 feet. It nearl}' always attacks the inside quarter, but may affect the 

 outside quarter, the band in front, or the heel, where it is of but little 

 consequence. It consists in the inflammation of a small part of the 

 coronary band and adjacent skin, folloAved by sloughing- and suppura- 

 tion, which in most cases extends to the neighboring sensitive lamiivv. 



C(n(Sc'S. — Injuries to the coronet, such as bruises, overreaching, and 

 calk wounds, are considered as the common causes of this disease. 

 Still, cases occur in whicli there appears to be no exciting cause, just 

 as in the other forms of quittor, and it seems fair to conclude that 

 subhorn}' quittor may also be produced by internal causes. 



S(/inj}toms\ — At the outset the lameness is alwa3's severe, and the 

 patient often refuses to use the affected foot. Swelling of the coronet 

 close to the top of the hoof causes the quarter to protrude beyond the 

 wall. This tumor is extremely sensitive, and the whole foot is hot 

 and painful. After a few days a small spot in the skin, over the most 

 elevated part of the tumor, softens and opens or the hoof separates 

 from the coronary band at the quarter or well back toward the heel. 

 From this opening, w^herever it may be, a thin, watery, offensive dis- 

 charge escapes, often dark in color, at times mixed with blood, and 

 always containing a considerable percentage of pus. 



l'rol)ing will now disclose a fistulous tract leading to the bottoiu of 

 the diseased tissues. If the opening is small, there is a tendency upon 

 the part of the suppurative process to spread downward; the pus 

 gradually separates the hoof from the sensitive laminie until the sole is 

 reached, and even a portion of this may ])e undermined. 



As a rule, the slough in this form of quittor is not deep, and, if the 

 case receives early and proper trciitment, complications are generally 

 avoided; but if the case is neglected, and, occasionally, even in spite 

 of the best of treatment, the disease spreads until the tendon in front, 

 the latei-al cartilage, or the coffinbone and joint as well are involved. 



In all cases, of subhorny quittor, much relief is experienced when 

 the slough comes awa}', 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 probabilities are 

 that the disease is spreading, and pus collecting in the deeper parts of 

 the foot. In Zundel's opinion, if the use of the probe now detects a 

 pus cavity below the opening, a cartilaginous quittor is in the course 

 of development. 



Tnatinent. — Hot baths and poultices are to be used until the pres- 

 ence of pus can be determined, when the tumor is to be opened W'ith 

 a knife or sharp-pointed iron heated white hot. The hot baths and 

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



