LAMINITIS. 541 
im many cases which have afterwards secreted new hoofs ; but the horn is 
not so strong and useful as before, and a horse with such feet is not fit for 
hard work on the road. If proper treatment is adopted, the inflammation 
either subsides entirely, leaving no mischief behind it, or there is a 
chronic inflammation left which induces the alterations of structure which 
have been alluded to. The treatment should be by first removing the 
shoes, and then, after paring down the sole so as to allow of the expansion 
of the sensible parts, a large quantity of blood is taken from the toe, 
making sure that a vessel of sufficient size is opened to produce a strong 
shock on the heart and arteries, as well as to relieve the local affection. 
If the blood does not flow freely, the foot may be placed in a pail of warm 
water, but when the operation is properly performed (see Chap. XXXII.) 
there is never any difficulty in obtaining any quantity of blood which may 
be required. Next tack the shoes on lightly again, and then give a smart 
dose of physic, or else, what is perhaps a better plan, give the following :— 
Take of Barbadoes Aloes 
Martar Eimeticnof each) “= 4° = «9s 1 +) i 2 dracum, 
Powdered Digitalis. . . ...... =. . #drachm. 
Syrup enough to form a ball, 
which should be given every six hours, until the bowels act, when the 
other materials may be continued without the aloes. The feet should be 
kept constantly wet and cool by tying a piece of felt or flannel around each 
pastern, and allowing it to fall over the hoof, when it is to be continually 
wetted. If the inflammation is not abated next day, the bleeding may 
be repeated, and it will be well also to act on the kidneys by adding two 
or three drachms of nitre to the tartar emetic and digitalis. 
CHRONIC LAMINITIS is generally first shown by a slight soreness or 
lameness, generally appearing in both fore feet, and, therefore, being often 
overlooked by casual observers. In coming in from work the coronets 
feel warmer than natural; but this goes off during the night, and, for a 
time, no great fears are entertained of the feet recovering their former con- 
dition, the blame being, perhaps, laid upon the shoe. Ina month or two, how- 
ever, the smith (who has, perhaps, been ordered to take off the shoes two or 
three times, by which the injury is increased) finds that his nails do not hold, 
and the quarters break away ; while the action of the horse becomes more 
shambling every day, and he cannot make a sound trot on any hard road, 
especially with a weight on his back. In many cases a horse with chronic 
laminitis can run in hand sound enough for an ordinary observer ; but 
when the extra weight of a rider is placed on him the feet cannot bear 
the pain, and the gait is shambling in the extreme. Such animals have 
a strong propensity to save their toes, and prefer (if their shoulders will 
allow it) bringing their heels to the ground first, so that, although their 
action is excessively low and shambling, they seldom fall. An experienced 
horseman at once detects this peculiar style of going, and condemns its 
possessor for laminitis. Indeed, it may be assumed as a rule, that where- 
ever the heel is put carefully down upon the ground with low action, the 
foot is the subject of laminitis to some extent. When the heel is naturally 
brought to the ground first, the knee is well bent, and the foot is raised 
high in the air ; but in process of time work tells on it, the lamine become 
inflamed, and then the action is reduced in height, and the feet are moved 
in the manner peculiar to foundered horses, including those which before 
they were foundered perhaps exhibited “toe action,’ or, at all events, 
@ level fall of the foot. This state of disease ought to be well studied, and 
