QUTTTOR. 
795 
Prognosis. It is very difficult to foretell the duration and probable 
results of quittor. As a rule, coronary sinuses heal more rapidly than 
those of the lateral cartilage; In consequence of the process generally 
extending from the posterior towards the anterior border of the cartilage, 
the chance of early recovery is greater the nearer the sinus lies to the 
posterior end and to the upper border of the cartilage; absence of 
swelling in front of the sinus is a specially favourable symptom. Great 
swelling, severe lameness, abundance of discharge, and deep sinuses 
suggest a long continuance of the disease and troublesome complications, 
though the opposite conditions do not necessarily guarantee the absence 
of serious changes. Quittor produced by cracks in the horn generally 
takes a very protracted course, being often due to necrosis of the os pedis. 
The probability of early recovery is in direct proportion to the recentness 
of the attack. In restive horses treatment is difficult, and recovery cor¬ 
respondingly protracted. Finally, the danger of purulent inflammation 
of the pedal-joint is greater in horses with small, weak feet than in 
heavy horses with large hoofs. In the latter, however, quittor is 
generally more obstinate than in the former. Speaking in general 
terms, quittor is less serious in hind than in front feet, probably because 
the lateral cartilage in the hind foot is smaller, less dense, and more 
vascular than in the fore, and, therefore, the exfoliation of the diseased 
fragment is more readily effected. 
Treatment. It is of primary importance to prevent infection of the 
parachondrium, and, therefore, especial attention must be given to the 
careful treatment of corns, cracks in the horn, and other diseases likely 
to produce parenchymatous inflammation of the sensitive structures in 
the posterior portions of the foot. The freest exit must be given to 
inflammatory products, and the centre of disease kept as clean as 
possible. Injuries to the coronet are similarly treated, especially when 
the lateral cartilage is injured. Brauer cured an injury of the cartilage, 
consequent on a tread, by carefully cleansing the wound with sublimate 
solution, and applying a dressing of iodoform and starch in the propor¬ 
tion of 1 to 5. Even extensive injuries of the lateral cartilage may heal 
by primary intention. 
If swelling of the parachondrium points to suppuration, the hoof must 
be kept soft, and a lukewarm foot-bath, containing a disinfectant, used 
to assist resolution. In case pus has already formed, it must be afforded 
free exit. Although abscess-formation always entails a quittor, suppura¬ 
tion may sometimes be prevented extending to the cartilage by syringing 
out the abscess cavity with 10 per cent, chloride of zinc or other dis¬ 
infectant. When this fails other methods of treatment can be resorted 
to, all of which, however, depend on immediately removing the necrotic 
piece of tissue, giving free exit to discharges, and checking the growth 
