210 DISEASES OF HORSES. 



on the shoe lightly, and retain the dressing by means of splints, 

 which are thin pieces of wood passed under the shoe ; repeat the 

 dressing daily, and avoid moisture, which would encourage quittor 

 A nail picked up on the road, and which passes through the sole 

 below or through the frog, is to be treated in the same manner, and 

 also when the matter breaks out at the coronet ; but when a nail is 

 picked up and penetrates the coffin joint, which is known by the 

 synovia or joint oil appearing, such opening should be immediately 

 stopped by paring towards the wounded joint, and then applying a 

 heated budding-iron, not to the capsular ligament itself, but to the 

 skin immediately near it; if this be inconvenient, put a pledget 

 dipped in a little butter of antimony, just within the opening, but 

 do not press it into the cavity of the joint : if this be insufficient to 

 stop the flow, but more particularly if the original wound be pene- 

 trated to the bone, it is probable that the bone itself will become in 

 some measure diseased, which is known by the rough grating felt at 

 the point of the probe when passed. In this case, enlarge the 

 opening so as to be able to scrape the diseased bone away. Bruises 

 of the sole, from whatever cause, will all fall under some of these 

 points of view, according as the case may be. 



10G. Quittor and canker are the consequences of these injuries, 

 when neglected, or originally extensive. In these cases either the 

 bones, ligaments, or cartilages, or all, become diseased ; and a cure 

 can only be obtained by removing the diseased parts by the knife or 

 by caustic. 



107. Treads, over-reach, $c. A wound on the coronet is not 

 uncommon from one foot being placed on the other ; or the hinder 

 foot may strike it, &c. First wipe away the dirt, and remove any 

 loose edges that cannot unite ; avoid washing, unless stones and 

 dirt are suspected to be within, and bind up, having first placed 

 over the wound a pledget of lint or tow moistened with balsamic 

 tincture, or tincture of myrrh, or of aloes. &c. Over-reaching, or 

 over-stepping, is often an injury done to tne fetlock joint before, by 

 the hinder foot, or to the back sinew higher up. Sometimes it is 

 simply a violent bruise, at others the laceration is extensive, in which 

 case treat as a tread ; and when no laceration has taken place treat 

 as a bruise or strain. 



108. Cutting is a defect to which some horses are liable from 

 their form, as when they turn their toes out, or have bent legs. 

 Others cut only when they are lean, which brings their legs nearer 

 together. Weak horses cut because they cross their legs when 



