370 



tlie ankle, or even the whole leg as high as the knee or hock, becomes 

 much swollen. The lameness is now so great that the patient refuses 

 to use the foot at all, but carries it in the air if compelled to move. As 

 a consequence the opposite leg is required to do the Avork of both, and 

 if the animal persists in standing a greater part of the time it, too, be- 

 comes swollen. In many of these cases the suffering is so intense 

 during the first few daj's as to cause general fever, dullness, loss of ap- 

 petite, and increased thirst. Generally tb? tumor shows signs of sup- 

 puration within from forty-eight to seventy-two hours after its first 

 appearance; the summit softens, a fluctuating fluid is felt beneath the 

 skin, which soon ulcerates completely through, causing the discharge 

 of a thick, yellow, bloody pus, containing shreds of dead tissue which 

 have sloughed away. The sore is now converted into an open ulcer, 

 generally deep, nearly or quite circular in outline, and with hardened 

 base and edges. In exceptional cases large patches of skin, varying 

 from 1 to 2i inches in diameter, slough away at once, leaving an ugly 

 superficial ulcer. These sores, especially when deep, suppurate freely ; 

 if there are no complications they tend to heal rapidly as soon as the de- 

 generated tissue has softened and is entirely removed. When suppura- 

 tion is fully established the lameness and general symptoms subside. 

 Where but a single tumor and abscess form, the disease progresses rap- 

 idly and recovery^ under i^roper treatment, may be effected in from two 

 to three weeks' time ; but when two or more tumors are developed at 

 once or where the formation of one tumor is ra])idly succeeded by 

 another for an indefinite time the sufterings of the patient are greatly 

 increased, the case is more difficult to treat, and recovery is more slow 

 and less certain. 



This form of quittor is often complicated with the tendinous and sub- 

 horny quitters by an extension of the sloughing jirocess. 



Treatment. — The first step in the treatment of an outbreak of quittor 

 should be the removal of all exciting causes. Crowding animals into 

 small corrals and stables, where injuries to the coronet are likely to 

 happen from tramping, especially among unbroken range horses, must 

 be avoided as much as possible. 



Watering places, accessible without having to wade through mud, are 

 to be supplied. In towns, where the mud or dust is largely impregnated 

 with mineral products, it is not possible to adopt complete prophylactic 

 measures. Much can be done, however, by careful cleansing of the feet 

 and legs as soon as the animal returns from work. Warm water should 

 be used to remove the mud and dirt, after which the parts are to be 

 thoroughly dried with soft cloths. 



The means which are to be adopted for the cure of cutaneous quittor 

 vary with the stage of the disease at the time the case is presented for 

 treatment. If the case is seen early, that is, before any of the signs of 

 suppuration have developed, the affected foot is to be placed under a 



