FOLLOWING INDIVIDUAL HOOF DISEASES. 143 



may refuse to support weight, or it is only sustuined by the 

 toe ; the phalanges at the same time are hekl in excessive 

 volar flexion. 



Palpation. — The contusion is mostly found on the 

 coronary cushion in the region of the extensor tendon. The 

 degree of lameness and the swelling, which is hot and 

 painful, are sufficient to give an idea of the extent of the 

 injury. Should it be necessary to probe at all, a sterilized 

 probe may be introduced by a steady hand. The latter is 

 of great moment, as any sudden movement of the horse 

 may endanger the pedal articulation of being punctured. It 

 is useless to probe for an open joint, since the discharge 

 of synovia settles that point, also confirmed by the severe 

 supporting-leg lameness, swelling of the entire coronary 

 cushion with abscess formation, and great pain on passive 

 rotation of that joint. Deep injuries in that region, not 

 opening the pedal articulation, excite more of a swinging- 

 leg lameness, and weight is often readily supported by the 

 lame leg. 



3. — Quittor. 

 Inspection. — More or less lameness, depending on the 

 extent of the morbid process and the complications there- 

 from. Intense supporting-leg lameness and the extreme 

 volar flexion of the phalanges, weight only being borne by 

 the toe of the hoof, characterize purulent cellulitis of the 

 plantar cushion and inflammation of the pedal articulation. 

 (See fig. 24). When a quittor is forming, usually only a 

 firm swelling in the internal lateral region of the coronary 

 cushion and the corresponding heel is visible. In a few 

 days a discharge, — a mixture of blood and pus, — breaks 

 through and the swelling go"fes down. One or more small 

 openings, regularly discharging pus, remain. 



