554 QUITTOR. 



powers of life in the parts : if our efforts succeed, the 

 process will probably be a lengthened one ; but as these 

 cartilages extend themselves posteriori}^, they become more 

 and more of a cartilago-fibrous texture ; this as being more 

 highly organized, is more capable of the sloughing and re- 

 productive processes ; so, when caries of the cartilage is 

 detected, if it have a backward direction, and not burrowing 

 deep towards the articulation, we are warranted in expect- 

 ing to succeed. In no part of the treatment is judgment 

 more displayed than this : we must spare, and yet spare 

 not ; we must expose every particle of the internal part of 

 the' foot, be it walls, heels, or sole, that obstruct our 

 proceeding; but we must most carefully avoid removing one 

 particle unnecessarily : and it must be kept in mind, that, 

 unless dictated by the circumstances w^e have pointed out, 

 we must content ourselves with keeping the hoof well 

 thinned, and pliant by moisture, &c. And, notwithstand- 

 ing the prejudices against firing in quittor, we would, when- 

 ever a circumscribed spot of carious bone could be got at, 

 without endangering articular or bursal cavities, apply a 

 pointed cautery ; neither should we be deterred from touch- 

 ing such a spot in the centre of the lateral cartilages ; but w^e 

 would lightly apply it only, and not at all when it was 

 carious tow^ards the base of the cartilage. This will often 

 save much time, even in the worst cases, and equall}^ in 

 those which are destined to an after treatment : occasion- 

 ally it will do more ; for it sometimes happens that this alone 

 will bring about a new action, when the cartilages and 

 ligaments do not v^ery extensively participate, as frequently 

 happens if a nail have penetrated the anterior part of 

 the sole, and wounded the bone. The general end we 

 have in view is to promote a removal of the dead parts ; 

 our further attempts must therefore be directed to alter the 

 diseased ravage going on. Our surgical principles now 

 teach us to make use of so much stimulus, and only so 

 much, as shall alter the diseased action. If it can be done 

 by mild means, it is by far the most humane and eligible 

 method. But if the sinuses are extensive, and the dis- 

 organization has extended to the cartilages and ligaments, 

 we must proceed further : indeed, it is seldom that we can 

 stop short from ' coring out the quittor ' by a forcible slough- 



