QtriTTOB. 385 



TENDINOUS QUITTOB. 



This form of quittor differs from the cutaneous in that it not only 

 affects the skin and subcutaneous tissues, but involves, also, the ten- 

 dons of the leg, the ligaments of the joints, and, in many cases, the 

 bones of the foot as well. 



Fortunately this form of quittor is less common than the preced- 

 ing; yet any case beginning as simple cutaneous quittor may at any 

 time during its course become complicated by the death of some part 

 of the tendons, by gangrene of the ligaments, sloughing of the coro- 

 nary band, caries of the bones, or inflammation and suppuration of 

 the synovial sacs and joints, thereby converting a simple quittor into 

 one which will, in all probability, either destroy the patient's life or 

 maim him for all time. 



Causes. — Tendinous quittor is caused by the same injuries and influ- 

 ences that produce the simple form. Zundel believes it to be a not 

 infrequent accompaniment of distemper. In my own experience I 

 have seen nothing to verify this belief, but I am satisfied that young 

 animals are more liable to have tendinous quittor than older ones, 

 and that they are much more likely to make a good recovery. 



Symptoms. — When a case of simple quittor is transformed into the 

 tendinous variety the change is announced by a sudden increase in 

 the severity of all the symptoms. On the other hand, if the attack 

 primarily is one of tendinous quittor, the earliest symptom seen is a 

 well-marked lameness. In those cases due to causes other than in- 

 juries this lameness is at first very slight, and the animal limps no 

 more in trotting than in walking; but later on, generally during the 

 next forty-eight hours, the lameness increases to such an extent that 

 the patient often refuses to use the leg at all. An examination made 

 during the first two days rarely discloses any cause for this lameness ; 

 it may not be possible even to say with certainty that the foot is the 

 seat of the trouble. On the third or fourth day, sometimes as late as 

 the fifth, a doughy- feeling tumor will be found forming on the heel 

 or quarter. This tumor grows rapidly, feels hot to the touch, and is 

 extremely painful. As the tumor develops, all the other symptoms 

 increase in intensity; the pulse is rapid and hard; the breathing 

 quick; the temperature elevated three or four degrees; the appetite 

 is gone; thirst increased, and the lameness so great that the foot is 

 carried in the air if locomotion is attempted. At this stage of the 

 disease the patient generally seeks relief by lying upon the broad side, 

 with outstretched legs; the coat is bedewed with a clammy sweat, 

 and every respiration is accompanied by a moan. The leg soon swells 

 to the fetlock; later this swelling gradually extends to the knee or 

 hock, and in some cases reaches the body. As a rule, several days 

 elapse before the disease develops a well-defined abscess, for, owing 

 H. Doc. 795, 5^2—o^tized by Microsoft® 2 



