DISEASES OF THE FETLOCK, ANKLE, AND FOOT. 409 



f ected in from two to three weeks ; but when two or more tumors are 

 developed at once, or if the formation of one tumor is rapidly suc- 

 ceeded by another for an indefinite time, the sufferings 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 

 subhorny quittors by an extension of the sloughing process. 



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

 tor 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 trampling, especially among unbroken range horses, 

 must be avoided as much as possible. 



Watering places accessible without having to wade through mud 

 should be provided. In towns, where the mud or dust is largely im- 

 pregnated with mineral products, it is not possible to adopt com- 

 plete preventive 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 inud 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 quit- 

 tor vary with the stage of the disease at the time the case is pre- 

 sented 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 constant stream of cold water, with the object of 

 arresting a further extension of the inflammatory process. To ac- 

 complish this, put the patient in slings in a narrow stall having a 

 slat or open floor. Bandage the foot and leg to the knee or hock, as 

 the case may be, with flannel bandages loosely applied. Set a tub 

 or barrel filled with cold water above the patient, and by the use 

 of a small rubber hose of sufficient length make a siphon which will 

 carry the water from the bottom of the tub to the leg at the top 

 of the bandage. The stream of water should be quite small, and is 

 to be continued until the inflammation has entirely subsided or until 

 the presence of pus can be detected in the tumor. T\^ien suppuration 

 has commenced, the process should be aided by the use of warm 

 baths and poultices of lineseed meal or boiled turnips. If the tumor 

 is of rapid growth, accompanied with intense pain, relief is obtained 

 and sloughing largely limited by a free incision of the parts. The 

 incision should be vertical and deep into the tumor, care being taken 

 not to divide the coronary band entirely. If the tumor is large, 

 more than one incision may be necessary. 



The foot should now be placed in a warm bath for half an hour or 

 longer and then.poulticed. The hemorrhage produced by the cutting 

 and encouraged by the warm bath is generally very copious and soon 

 gives relief to the overtension of the parts. 



