146 LAMINITIS, INFLAMMATION, &o. 



CHAPTER VII. 

 DISEASES OF THE FEET AND LEGS. 



Laminitis, Inflammation of the Feet, 

 or Founder. 



This is one of the most frequent diseases of the 

 horse, and one in which the resources of the Homeo- 



*6t 



pathic art are very efficient. The sensible lamina 

 or fleshy plates on the front and sides of the coffin- 

 bone, are, like all other vascular structures, very 

 liable to inflammation, particularly from violence or 

 long continued action of the part. Hence, standing 

 long in one position, as in voyages; battering or 

 bruising the feet, in severe or long journeys; sudden 

 changes from heat to cold, or from cold to heat, act- 

 ing directly on the feet ; standing in snow or cold 

 water after a journey, are among the more common 

 causes of this disease. It sometimes occurs as a 

 mere transition of the disease from some other part, 

 and occasionally from excess oj jood or indigestible 

 foody or food when heated. Many cases of so-called 

 FOUNDER, are really only attacks of Acute Rheuma- 

 tism ; hence consult what is said on that disease, 

 and compare the two chapters for a better under- 

 standing of the subject. 



