272 DISEASES OF HORSES AND CATTLE. 



Weak Feet. — There are some horses whose feet 

 are naturally weak, having thin heels, and very 

 brittle walls, that will split into layers when the 

 nails are driven. Such feet require to be shod with 

 strong bar shoes; and in some cases it will be a 

 benefit to put leather soles under the shoe. Any 

 horse which shows any tenderness or slight pain 

 after a long drive or a hard day's work can be 

 greatly relieved by having the feet and legs bathed 

 in water; or better, a bran poultice put on during 

 the night. This will remove the soreness, and the 

 animal will be sound in the morning. 



Quittor. — This is the name given to a fistulous 

 opening upon the heels and quarters of the coron- 

 ary band, and is caused by treads, pricks in shoe- 

 ing, bruises, <and suppurating corns. Any injury 

 which will cause suppuration within the foot will 

 usually cause matter to form at the coronet, and 

 may result in quittor. 



The symptoms of quittor: Swelling upon the 

 coronet, great lameness, and a discharge of thin 

 or thick curdy pus. There may be one or a number 

 of small openings leading down into the sensitive 

 part of the foot. The parts surrounding the quit- 

 tor swell and become hard and take on a peculiar 

 unhealthy action and are difficult to cure. 



Treatment: Clean the foot and put into a bran 

 poultice for several days, then remove any horn 

 that may be pressing on the sore part. If it is at 

 the heel remove the crust with the knife ; if it is 

 in front rasp it thin. If it is caused by a punc- 

 ture in the foot open up the part a little so that 



