388 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



and fetlock, remains after suppuration has ceased and the fistulous 

 tracts have healed. To stimulate the reabsorption of this new and 

 unnecessary tissue, the parts should be fired with the hot iron, or, in 

 its absence, repeated blistering with the biniodide of mercury oint- 

 ment may largely accomplish the same result. 



STJBHOBNY QUITTOE. 



This is the most common form of the disease. It is generally seen 

 in but one foot at a time, and more often in the fore than in the hind 

 feet. It nearly always attacks the inside quarter, but may affect the 

 outside quarter, the band in front, or the heel, where it is of but little 

 consequence. It consists in the inflammation of a small part of the 

 coronary band and adjacent skin, followed by sloughing and suppura- 

 tion, which in most cases extends to the neighboring sensitive laminae. 



Causes. — Injuries to the coronet, such as bruises, overreaching, and 

 calk wounds, are considered as the common causes of this disease. 

 Still cases occur in which there appears to be no existing cause, just 

 as in the other forms of quittor, and it seems fair to conclude that 

 subhorny quittor may also be produced by internal causes. 



Symptoms. — At the outset the lameness is always severe, and the 

 patient often refuses to use the affected foot. Swelling of the coronet 

 close to the top of the hoof causes the quarter to protrude beyond the 

 wall. This tumor is extremely sensitive, and the whole foot is hot 

 and painful. After a few days a small spot in the skin, over the 

 most elevated part of the tumor, softens and opens or the hoof sepa- 

 rates from the coronary band at the quarter or well back toward the 

 heel. From this opening, wherever it may be, a thin, watery, 

 offensive discharge escapes, often dark in color, at times mixed with 

 blood, and always containing a considerable percentage of pus. 



Probing will now disclose a fistulous tract leading to the bottom of 

 the diseased tissues. If the opening is small, there is a tendency upon 

 the part of the suppurative process to spread downward; the pus 

 gradually separates the hoof from the sensitive laminae until the sole 

 is reached, and even a portion of this may be undermined. 



As a rule, the slough in this form of quittor is not deep, and if the 

 case receives early and proper treatment complications are generally 

 avoided ; but if the case is neglected, and, occasionally, even in spite 

 of the best of treatment, the disease spreads until the tendon in front, 

 the lateral cartilage, or the coffibi bone and joint as well are involved. 



In all cases of subhorny quittor much relief is experienced when 

 the slough comes away, and rapid recovery is made. If, however, 

 after the lapse of a few days, the lameness remains and the wound 

 continues to discharge a thin unhealthy matter, the probabilities are 

 that the disease is spreading, and pus collecting in the deeper parts of 

 the foot. In Zundel's opinion, if the use of the probe now detects a 



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