420 



Journal of Agriculture. 



[8 July, 1907. 



is quickened, the pulse is full, strong, and frequent and there is often pro- 

 fuse perspiration. The feet are hot and there may be a slight depression 

 or sinking above the coronet. In a few hours the coronets become full, the 

 puffiness 'often extending as high as the fetlock and the arteries of the 

 pastern throb in a manner easily felt on handling. When the fore feet 

 only are affected the animal stands with them well in front of him and, 

 resting upon the heels, the hind feet are placed very much forward so as 

 to take as much weight off the fore ones as possible. It is a difficult 

 matter to get the horse to allow one foot to be lifted because of the great 

 pain caused when increased weight is put on the opposite foot. He is 

 very much disinclined to move and when he is made to, he goes stiffly and 

 on the heels. The weight is never brought forward over the toes _ on 

 account of the great pain due to the compression of the inflamed lammse 

 and sensitive structures at the front part of the hoof. The action is always 

 cramped and the want of freedom of movement gives rise to the impression 

 amongst inexperienced observers that the muscles of the shoulder and chest 

 are implicated, and this along with the distressed breathing promotes the 

 idea that the animal is suffering from inflammation or congestion of the 

 lungs. Hence the term " chest founder," a purely conjectural term, the 

 condition which it is sujiposed to describe having no existence in fact. 



ig. ■,y. nuibe s loot atteciea 

 chronic laminitis showing convexity 

 of sole — " pumiced sole." (After 

 Hayes.) 



Fig. 60. Horse's foot affected with 

 laminitis showing excessive heel- 

 growth of horn with horn rings 

 thickest at the heels. (After Hayes.) 



When a foundered horse is made to back the action is very characteristic. 

 He throws his body back with a swinging movement as if the feet were 

 glued to the ground, and then draws or slides his feet after him. To turn 

 round is a feat only accomplished with difficulty, and in effecting the turn- 

 ing movement the weight is kept on the heels all the time. At the onset of 

 an acute attack the horse has a decided aversion tO' lying down but when 

 once the feeling of relief, from the lemoval of the weight of the body 

 off the feet, is experienced he will lie contentedly and easily and is often 

 very much benefited by the consequent amelioration of the pain. When 

 the hind feet are affected great difficulty is experienced in the attempt to 

 pass urine, on account of the pain caused by placing the hind feet in 

 position for staling. In such cases the urine should be drawn away at 

 frequent intervals by means of a catheter. 



On recovery from an acute attack of laminitis there frequently remains 

 an abnormal condition of the foot which constitutes an unsomidness and 

 which although not accompanied by actual lameness is always associated 

 with a peculiarity of gait indicative of the previous disease. In both 

 the walk and the trot the fore limbs appear to be advanced unduly or 



