532 
CORRESPONDENCE. 
those cases of recent origin : Having performed the operation many 
times, and seeing it performed with good results by others, it may 
prove of interest to the profession, as well as to Dr. B., to relate 
a few cases, which may settle the question as to the advisability 
of the operation or not, although it must always be taken into 
consideration whether the case which presents itself shall be 
operated on, as I do not by any means wish to convey the idea 
that all cases should be treated in this way, as good results are 
frequently obtained by other methods, and speedy cures follow. 
It must be borne in mind that cartilaginous tissue is of low vital¬ 
ity, and its repairing process is therefore slow. It makes no dif¬ 
ference whether it is of an acute or chronic type, if the case does 
not prove readily amenable to ordinary treatment, the operation 
is certainly indicated. By this means, the diseased parts are placed 
in the best possible condition for a rapid repairing process. 
Case No. 1.—A roan gelding, six years of age, used as a 
draught horse, had received a contused wound on the outside of 
the near fore foot and coronet. An extensive sloughing of the 
deeper tissues had taken place, leaving the cartilage exposed. The 
wound was treated antiseptically for two weeks, was granulating 
nicely and to all appearances doing well, with the exception of a 
fistulous tract, leading to the lower part of the cartilage. It was 
at once determined to operate: the cartilage was removed and the 
wound, treated antiseptically and with firm pressure, healed rapid¬ 
ly, and the horse was put to work the sixth week from the time of 
the operation. 
Case No. 2.—A black gelding, nine years of age, also a 
draught horse, had a quarter crack on the outside of the near 
fore foot, and two sinuses leading from the coronet to the car¬ 
tilage, of ten days standing. The quarter and cartilage were both 
removed, the wound treated as before, and the patient sent to 
work the sixth or seventh week after, with the wound entirely 
healed. 
Case No 3.—A bay gelding five years of age, a draught horse, 
had a suppurative corn on the inside of the off fore foot, resulting 
in cartilaginous quittor. The cartilage was removed and the 
wound healed, so that the animal was enabled to resume work 
seven weeks afterwards. 
