FALSE QUARTER. — QUITTOR. 313 



too long, they are apt to be torn off — when too narrow, the hind foot ni,iy bruise the 

 sole of the fore one, or may be locked fast between the branches of the fore shoe.* 



FALSE QUARTER. 



If the coronary ligament, by which the horn of the crust is secreted, is divided by- 

 some cut or bruise, or eaten througli by any caustic, there will occasionally be a divi- 

 sion in the horn as it grows down, either in the form of a permanent sand-crack, or 

 one portion of the horn overlapping the other. It occcasionally follows neglected 

 sand-crack, or it may be the consequence of quittor. This is exteriorly an evident 

 fissure in the horn, and extending from the coronet to the sole, but not always pene- 

 trating to the laminae. It is a very serious defect, and exceedingly difficult to remedy; 

 for occasionally, if the horse is over-weighted or hurried on his journey, the fissure 

 will open and bleed, and very serious inconvenience and lameness may ensue. Grit 

 and dirt may insinuate itself into the aperture, and penetrate to the sensible laminae. 

 Inflaiumation will almost of necessity be produced ; and much mischief will be 

 effected. While the energies of the animal are not severely taxed, he may not expe- 

 rience much inconvenience or pain ; but the slightest exertion will cause the fissure 

 to expand, and painful lameness to follow. 



This is not only a very serious defect, but one exceedingly difficult to remedy. 

 The coronary ligament must be restored to its perfect state, or at least to the dis- 

 charge of its perfect function. Much danger would attend the application of the 

 caustic in order to effect this. A blister is rarely sufficiently active : but the applica- 

 tion, not too severely, of a heated flat or rounded iron to the coronet at the injured part 

 affords the best chance of success — the edges of the horn on either side of the crack 

 being thinned, the hoof supported — and the separated parts held together by a firm 

 encasement of pitch, as described when speaking of the treatment of sand-crack. 

 The coronet must be examined at least once in every fortnight, in order to ascertain 

 whether the desired union has taken place ; and, as a palliative during the treatment 

 of the case, or if the treatment should be unsuccessful, a bar-shoe may be used, and 

 care taken that there be no bearing at or immediately under the separation of the horn. 

 This will be best effected, when the crust is thick and the quarters strong, by paring 

 off a little of the bottom of the crust at the part, so that it will not touch the shoe ; 

 but if the foot is weak, an indentation or hollow should be made in the shoe. Strain 

 or concussion on the immediate part will thus be avoided, and, in sudden or violent 

 exertion, the crack will not be so likely to extend upward to the coronet, when wholo 

 and sound horn has begun to be formed there.j 



In some cases false quarter assumes a less serious character. The horn grows 

 down whole, but the ligament is unable to secrete that which is perfectly healthy, 

 and, therefore, a narrow strip of horn of a different and lighter colour is produced. 

 This is sometimes the best result that can be procured when the surgeon has been 

 able to obliterate the absolute crack or separation. It is, however, to be regarded as 

 a defect, not sufficient to condemn the horse, but indicating that he has had sand- 

 crack, and that a disposition to sand-crack may possibly remain. There will also, in 

 the generality of cases, be some degree of tenderness in that quarter, which may pro- 

 duce slight lameness when unusual exertion is required from the horse, or the shoe is 

 suffered long to press on the part. 



QUITTOR. 



This has been described as being the result of neglected or bad tread or over-reach ; 

 but it may be the consequence of any wound in the foot, and in any part of the foot. In 

 the natural process of ulceration, matter is thrown out from the wound. It precedes the 

 actual healing of the part. The matter which is secreted in wounds of the foot is 

 usually pent up there, and, increasing in quantity, and urging its way in every direc- 



* Stewart's Stable (Economy, p. 393. 



t James Clark, whose works have not been valued as they deserve, expresses in a few 

 words the real state of the case, and the course that should be pursued : — 



" We may so far paUiate the complaint as to render the horse something usetul by using a 

 ehoe of such a construction as will support the limb without resting or pressing too much 

 upon the weakened quarter." A proper stopping should also cover the sole, on which some 

 coarse tow may be placed, and a piece of leather over that; the whole being confined by o 

 broad web-shoe. 



27 2p 



