194 THE HORSE IN HEALTH AND DISEASE 



QUITTOR 



A quittor is a wound of a fistulous nature occurring at the hoof- 

 head. It is the result of an injury to the structures covered by the 

 horny box. Nail-pricks, punctures of the sole or frog, bruises, and 

 suppurating corns are common exciting causes. The irritating sub- 

 stance induces inflammatory changes. There may be noted the 

 attendant symptoms of inflammation — viz., heat, swelling, red- 

 ness, and pain. Lameness is very great, especially in the early 

 stages, as the pressure of the inflammatory exudate on the sensi- 

 tive nerves of the pododerm is intensified by the fact that little 

 expansion can take place in the hoof. One or more discharging 

 sinuses which communicate with the infected tissues may be ob- 

 served in the swelling at the coronet. Treatment should first be 

 directed toward locating and removing the cause. An examination 

 of the lower surface of the foot may reveal discolored horn. If 

 found it must be cut away at once to allow the accumulated pus 

 to drain out. Afterward a 1 : 500 solution of bichlorid of mercury 

 may be injected under pressure into the sinuses. If the fistula 

 fails to show improvement with this treatment, an operation to 

 remove the necrotic tissue in the depths must be performed. 



CORNS 



A corn is a bruise of the sensitive tissue, lying directly above that 

 part of the sole between the bar and the wall. This is the spot most 

 liable to injury, because the horny covering is thinnest and the 

 heel is placed on the ground first, so receives the most concussion. 

 Corns usually occur only on the inside of the fore foot. Fast work 

 on hard and rough roads, flat soles, weakened bars, and poor shoe- 

 ing predispose to corns. If a simple corn is present there may be 

 but little lameness apparent, unless the horse steps on a stone or 

 other hard substance and bruises the part again. When the horn 

 of the buttress is examined it will show red discoloration, and pain 

 will be caused if this spot is tapped with the hammer. It is not 

 advisable to pare this horn away in simple cases. If pus has formed, 

 a "suppurating corn" occurs. In this case the shoe should be re- 

 moved and an outlet for the pus made on the sole surface of the 

 foot, or it will burrow in the direction of the line of least resistance 

 and discharge at the coronet (quittor). A three-quarter shoe is 

 best for an ordinary non-suppurating corn, as it removes pressure 

 from the inflamed part and relieves lameness. 



