FOOT DISEASES. 81 



for a few days, will do good by its alterative and puri- 

 tive effects upon the system. 



QuiTTOR IN THE FooT. — This is a serious and painful 

 disease of the foot, of the same nature as poll-evil and 

 fistula in the shoulder, it is known by a large swelling 

 around or above the hoof, or where the hair joins the 

 hoof, which soon breaks and discharges pus. 



Symptoms. — Horse off his feed. Considerable ex- 

 citement and fever. Holding the foot off the ground, 

 and very painful. A swelling soon shows itself at the 

 coronet, and in a few days breaks and discharges pus. 

 After this the horse will resume his feed, but will not 

 make very free with his foot, which will be better to-day 

 and worse the next day, depending upon the discharge 

 of pus from the foot. 



Causes. — A prick from a nail, a bruise on the sole, a 

 suppurating corn, or sometimes from a sand crack taking 

 on suppurative action. 



Treatment. — The great secret of the treatment of this 

 disease, is to make a free opening from the bottom of the 

 foot. When this is done at once, you will be greatly sur- 

 prised to see the swelling go away as quickly as it made 

 its appearance, and if the swelling has broken, it will 

 soon cease to discharge when the opening is made from 

 below, or at the bottom of the foot. Having effected 

 this purpose of an opening, get a small syringe and in- 

 ject into the opening above, if there be any, and if not; 

 from the opening below, a mixture of the sulphate of 

 zinc, two ounces ; rain water, eight ounces, once in the 

 day. If the shoe has been taken off for the purpose of 

 making the opening, have it put on again so as to hold 

 some soft stopping in the sole to keep it soft. Cow dung is 

 as good if not better for this purpose, than the best of 



