88 MANUAL FOR ARMY HORSESHOERS. 



foot soft and elastic, preferably by the use ol tar, oakum, aiul leather 

 pad. Should a crack appear and lameness result, treat as directed 

 under quarter crack. 



LAMINITIS. 



86. Laminitis, or founder, is an inflammation of the sensitive 

 laminar corium, usually of the front feet, and may involve the 

 adjoining structures. The pain is very acute, because the swollen 

 laminae lie between two hard surfaces (the coffin bone and the wall) 

 and are pinched by them. There are three forms: Acute, with pro- 

 nounced symptoms; subacute, in which the symptoms are mild, and 

 chronic, resulting from the acute, mth structural change of the feet 

 and chronic lameness. 



Causes. — These are many and varied. Concussion, chilling of 

 the body from standing in a breeze while overheated, chinking large 

 amounts of cold water after severe exertion and while in an exhausted 

 or overheated condition, grains eaten to excess, and improper food- 

 stuffs such as musty hay and grain, wheat and new^ oats, green foods 

 such as alfalfa, clover and corn eaten to excess. 



Symptoms. — In the acute form all four feet may be affected, 

 but the disease is usually limited to the front feet. The animal 

 stands in a fixed position With the front legs advanced, the weight 

 being carried on the heels; the pain is greatest at the toe because the 

 laminae are largest and most vascular at that place; the hind legs are 

 advanced under the body to relieve the forefeet of weight. Occa- 

 sionally the animal sways backward, elevating the toes to fiu:ther 

 relieve them of weight and reduce the pain. He is moved with 

 difficulty because the movement increases the pressure and pain in 

 the feet which remain on the ground. The feet are hot, and the ar- 

 teries of the cannon and pastern have a distinct throb. The animal 

 groans with pain and sweats profusely. The pulse is full, strong and 

 rapid, beating 60 to 80 per minute. Constipation or diarrhea may 

 be present. Temperature lOi"^ to 106°. In some cases the animal 

 stands persistently; in others he may lie for hours at a time. 



Treatment. — Subacute laminitis. This form may be conveniently 

 treated in the field by standing the animal in a pool of water, prefer- 

 ably in a running stream, and removing the shoes if the command 

 is stationary; in garrison by remo\ing the shoes and standing the 

 animal in a soaking stall, wet clay, or water hole. Feed laxative 

 diet and give potassium nitrate. 



