DISEASES OF THE FOOT AND SHOEING 277 



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 irritat- 

 ing substance induces inflammatory changes. There may be 

 noted the attendant symptoms of inflammation — viz., heat, 

 swelling, redness, and pain. Lameness is very great, especially 

 in the early stages, as the pressure of the inflammatory exudate 

 on the sensitive 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 observed 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 treat- 

 ment, 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, fiat soles, weakened 

 bars, and poor shoeing 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 removed 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 



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