Quittor ; its Treatment. 143 



wound in the lower portion of the foot, the mat- 

 ter which is collected in it after the ulcer has 

 ripened, being confined there, issues from it, and 

 induces a separation between the horny and fleshy 

 sole, and having accumulated in considerable 

 quantities, at length discharges itself at the 

 coronet, generally close to the quarter. This, 

 however, does not manifest itself to any extent, 

 as both the aperture and quantity of matter that 

 oozes out are apparently so insignificant that they 

 would lead an inexperienced person to suppose 

 the discharge of little consequence. In this, 

 however, they will be sadly mistaken, for the 

 most serious mischief lurks within, and the diffi- 

 culty of removing it is extremely great. In this 

 state of the disease, although the fistula is of 

 very small dimensions, the effect of this confined 

 matter will have extended almost all over the 

 entire quarter, and the horny sole may be 

 separated from the foot. The matter may have 

 penetrated and lodged beneath the ligaments and 

 cartilages of the coffin-joint; and besides the 

 pressure of the matter, wherever it has forced its 

 way to, will have formed ulcerations which are 

 most difficult to heal, and the horn which has 

 been separated from the sensible parts below will 

 never unite with them again, thus producing an 

 evil of the worst description. Quittor often pro- 

 ceeds from neglected bruises and injuries to the 

 sole of the foot. "When horses have flat feet, and 

 are ridden over a rough, uneven, stony road, the 

 feet are very liable to be injured, and especially 

 by getting a small stone under a shoe, between it 



