280 QUITTOR. 



carefully and tenderly used, in order to discover those 

 important parts which may be involved. 



The matter generally finds its way out at the 

 coronet above one of the quarters ; and frequently is 

 released rather backward towards the heel. If the 

 sinuses run backward, the practitioner has a fair 

 chance of success, and may undertake the case with a 

 hope of relieving it ; but if they run forward and 

 inward, he must conduct his examination cautiously, 

 and hesitate before he delivers a decisive opinion. 

 Here a knowledge of the anatomy of the foot will be 

 indispensable. 



This done, he will place the foot in a poultice and 

 return the horse to the stable. The next day he will 

 gently, or with every consideration for a painful 

 disease enclosed in a very sensitive part, have the 

 quarter rasped till every portion of the dark or super- 

 ficial covering of the crust is removed. The horse is 

 subsequently cast, and a small director passed down 

 the sinuses. Along the groove of this instrument a 

 sharp knife is slid, and thus one after another all the 

 superficial sinuses are laid open. 



The horse is then allowed to get up, and is once 

 more returned to the stable. The wounds on the foot, 

 for what once were sinuses are now converted into 

 wounds, are dressed with the weak solution of chloride 

 of zinc, one grain to the ounce of water. 



On the following day the foot is again examined. 

 Should there be nothing perceptible but a mass of 

 creamy, thick pus, the part merely requires a con- 

 tinuation of the lotion thrice daily to perfect the cure ; 

 but if among the opaque fluid is seen a speck of dark, 



