155 
THE HORSE’S FOOT. 
Finally, as a possible complication of cartilaginous quittor, 
one may observe an entire emaciation of the animal, an altera¬ 
tion of the fluids due to a putrid or purulent infection; some au¬ 
thors claim to have even seen glanders and farcy follow it; this 
is inadmissible. 
IY.— Diagnosis .—Cartilaginous quittor is recognized only 
when there is a wound from which escapes the product of the 
suppuration and of the necrosis. This pus has nothing charac¬ 
teristic, notwithstanding what has been said. If it is thinner 
than that of a simple solution of continuity of the region, or that 
of simple quittor; if it is less foetid than that of bony caries; it 
has, however, of itself some special characters, varying according 
to the subject and the degree of the disease, and especially re¬ 
sembling much that of sub-horny quittor. If the escape of the 
pus' is slow, and it is desired to carefully examine it, a simple pad 
of oakum, kept by a few turns of bandages on the fistulous 
opening, will, when removed, give a sufficient opportunity to 
recognize its nature. 
The probing will often assist in distinguishing the cartilagi¬ 
nous from the simple or sub-horny quittors. In these last, the 
fistula is less profound, and does not reach the thickness of the 
cartilage; but, as in cartilaginous disease, the fistula is often 
sinuous, it is better to use a soft, flexible instrument, such as a 
fine probe made of lead. The injection of liquid may take the 
place of the probing; injected in a superficial tract, it returns 
outwards directly, while in deeper and irregular fistulse, it will 
penetrate more readily. The induration of the coronet, the 
rough and ramy appearance of the hoof of the quarter corre¬ 
sponding to the fistula, indicate generally a necrosis of the 
fibro-cartilage; these characters are missing in the furuncle. 
V.— Prognosis .—In consequence of the tenacity of the dis¬ 
ease, this form of quittor is always serious; though this gravity 
has, in our days, greatly diminished, on account of the means of 
treatment now in use, which were unknown some thirty years 
ago. Now, this affefction, which was considered by all hippiatres 
as almost incurable, and which more recently was treated by an 
operation which rendered the animal unfit for work for several 
