62 OF THE DISEASES 



structures. The insensitive sole is of too inorganic 

 a structure to be capable of either suppuration or 

 ulceration. 



The pus, therefore, which forms in the sensitive 

 sole, is unable to gain an exit through the insen- 

 sitive sole. Hence not being able to escape below, 

 it works its way upwards through the vascular 

 parts of the interior of the foot, which are capable 

 of suppuration and ulceration, and gains for itself 

 an exit usually immediately above the coronet 

 between the hoof and the coronary band. The 

 fistulous sore so formed is known as quitter. 



The evil, then, with which we have to deal in 

 cases of puncture, is the confinement of the pus, 

 which has been produced by the inflammation of 

 the sensitive sole. The cause of the confinement 

 is, as explained above, the inorganic nature of the 

 insensitive sole. 



In all these cases, therefore, our treatment must 

 aim at afibrding the pus an easy and depending 

 exit. This is effected by paring away the insensi- 

 tive sole. In order to afibrd a free exit, it is 

 essential, not merely to open out the seat of the 

 puncture, but to remove a considerable portion of 

 the surrounding sole. 



With a view of further assisting the percolation 

 of the pus through the hard insensitive sole, it is 

 advisable to soften it by applying poultices, com- 

 posed of linseed meal and bran. 



