TKEATMENT OF QUITTOK. 215 



na to be capable of being pulled out on the next dny, so as 

 to leave a clear opening for the matter to escape. In a few 

 days tiie shoe must be taken off again, and any ragged 

 pieces of horn removed, as well as the opening enlarged, 

 if necessary. Sometimes a prick occurs from a nail picked 

 up on the road, and then the accident must be treated ex- 

 actly as if it occurred in shoeing. 



QuiTTOB is a disease very nearly allied to, and frequently 

 growing out of, neglected cases of nail-pricking. Concern- 

 ing this tlisease, Dr. Dadd writes as follows :* 



Quittor is a fistulous opening running between tbe sen- 

 sible and insensible limince of the foot ; the opening, or 

 sinus, runs in various directions downward ; at other times, 

 the lateral cartilages are in connection with it, and become 

 diseased. It generally makes its appearance on the inside 

 of the foot, near the matrix of the hoof In such case, its 

 origin is from bruise or wound. It arises also from pricks 

 in shoeing, gravel, neglected corns, &c. Should a nail entei 

 the sensitive laminae of the foot, and cause suppuration, and 

 tbe lower outlet become plugged up, the matter moves up- 

 ward, burrowing through the tissues, until it gains exit 

 above the hoof. 



Treatment. — We first examine the sinus by means of a 

 Email-sized, flexible bougie, such as are used on young 

 persons. Being flexible, we are enabled to trace the cavity, 

 whatever direction it may take. Having discovered that, 

 we make up our mind as to the treatment. Should it 

 descend towards the sole, it is caused either by prick, corn; 

 or gravel, which can be ascertained on careful examination 

 In order to make such, we remove the shoe, pare the foot, 

 and perhaps poultice it, with the double object of softening 

 the hoof and removing obstructions to the lower outlet, if 

 any there be. Whether the cause be evident or not, we 



* Dadd'a Modern Horse Doctor. 



