QUITTOK.] 



MODERN VETEEINART PRACTICE. 



Biilpliatc of zinc, or compound tiiictnro of 

 iMvrrh. Put the horse on bran mashes, and 

 j',ivo alteratives. (See MfJicinrs). 



AVheu the ooinphiint liaa assumed tlio ap- 

 pearanec of conlirmed quitter, and no lonj^er 

 retains tlio character of a simple bruise, 

 wound, or abscess, it must then be considered 

 as an ulcer, composed of difterent branches or 

 minuses, or, as the old farriers term them,^>/};ci\ 

 Here the coriug-out system has been abun- 

 dantly used. On some occasions of bad quitter, 

 a portion of ossified cartilage has come away ; 

 and this is by no means au uncommon oc- 

 currence. 



In treating for quittor, the first thing to be 

 done, is to examine well with a probe the ex- 

 tent of the ulcer, with the number and direc- 

 tion of the pipes. Should one of the pipes 

 run inward, and come in contact with a firm, 

 hard body, it is more than probable the bone 

 is bare. Portions of the coffin-bone have 

 been known to slough off; but we never 

 knew a horse recover when that has been the 

 case. If the capsular ligament becomes ulce- 

 rated, and the joints exposed, such a case is a 

 hopeless one, when the pipes run at the back 

 of the cartilages ; but when these take an in- 

 ward direction, they produce a hopeless case. 

 If the direction of the sinuses, however, is out- 

 ward and downward, or backward towards the 

 heels, the cure then may not prove difficult. 

 The next object ia to stimulate the parts to a 

 healthy action, which may be done by intro- 

 ducing any of the following : — Verdigris, or 

 corrosive sublimate (finely powdered), butter 

 of antimony, arsenic, solutions of potash, and 

 lunar caustic. These are all excellent reme- 

 dies for the disease. Prudence and humanity 

 dictate that the mildest should be tried first. 

 Therefore try zinc, powdered fine, and fill the 

 orifice full, nearly up to the skin, and gently 

 pressing it to the bottom of the wound ; then 

 lay a bit of tow over the sore, and bind on 

 with a bit of broad tape. Keep the horse as 

 quiet as possible ; and he must not be allowed 

 to go out to grass or to work. If the milder 

 treatment fails, a liquid stimulant, with which 

 you will be able to reach all the sinuses, must 

 be used. Tincture of cantharides, with tur- 

 pentine, or a mild solution of caustic alkali, 

 or the lunar caustic, introducing small pledgets 

 of tow with whichever of these may be 



[CANKEE. 



Bcltcted, or which may appear tho best for 

 combating tho disease. Should theao also 

 fail in producing tho desired object, more 

 active stinuilants must be resorted to. Thuro- 

 foro mix about au ounce of tur with finely 

 powdered corrosive sublimate ; then take small 

 pieces of tow, and impregnate well with tho 

 mixture; next place one of tho pledgets thus 

 impregnated at tho end of tho probe, and 

 lightly press it to tho bottom of tho sinus. 

 Do the same until every one ia charged ; then 

 fill up to tho top of the orifice with the mix- 

 tures. Caution must bo used when intro- 

 ducing the pledgets, so that no force may be 

 felt in the operation. If the quittor should 

 be what the farriers CdWfoul, mix a drachm of 

 verdigris \\ith the above. It would be well to 

 thin the horn a little round the parts, as it 

 will have a tendency to remove the pain that 

 naturally arises. Let the dressing remain on 

 for two or three days, until sloughing takes 

 place. If the parts look red and clean, it may 

 be expected that, by simple dressings of tinc- 

 ture of myrrh, the wound will heal, from its 

 healthy appearance. 



If, unfortunately, this should not be tho 

 case, proceed again in the same manner aa 

 before, until a healthy appearance is made. 

 During the application of these remedies, 

 alterative medicines, every second day, must 

 not be neglected to be given. (See Medicines). 



CANKER. 

 CanJccr is one of the most obstinate and 

 destructive diseases to which the horse is 

 subject. It consists in the separation of the 

 horn of the insensitive from the sensitive sole, 

 caused by suppuration having taken place 

 between the two, and may be variously pro- 

 duced. It may spring from neglected thrush, 

 in which the sensitive sole participates in the 

 inflammation of the sensitive frog. Neglected 

 grease will sometimes occasion it. In both 

 cases it is frequently engendered amongst 

 cart-horses, particularly where they are crowded 

 together, for there is more grease and thrush 

 iu large cart-horse establishments than in any 

 other ; and if care is not taken in time, 

 canker soon shows itself. It often arises from 

 pricks ; and when such is the case, the flexor™ 

 tendon becomes injured — in all probability 

 locked-jaw may supervene. Treads, bruises, 



817 



