HORSES: THEIR POINTS AND MANAGEMENT 



disease, particularly when made to move or stand. Freedom 

 from pain is most evident when the animal is lying down, and 

 we believe in encouraging this ; certainly not in enforced 

 exercise — a method of treating the (Usease, as advocated by 

 s:)me authorities. 



The result of the inflammation is to loosen or se})arate (in 

 some cases entirely) the bond of connection between the sensi- 

 tive and insensitive leaves, resulting in the displacement of the 

 coffin bones, favoured by the weight of the body. The point of 

 the coffin bone moves gradually downwards, forwards, and out- 

 wards, causing the sole at the toe to become first flattened, then 

 convex (dropped sole), and in very severe cases, terminating by 

 the bone perforating the sole, rendering the animal useless. 



Causes. — (i) Predisposing. — Flat feet. Fatness or full habit 

 of body, especially if such is present during foaling time (par- 

 turient laminitis), weak heels, lameness (counter pressure). 



(2) Exciting. — Chills, either through sudden cooling of the 

 body, or through a heavy draught of cold water, will produce 

 it. New wheat and barley will very readily bring it on, 

 especially in fat animals. The same can be said of new 

 oats and new hay. Overdriving and faulty shoeing. It 

 sometimes comes on through standing (pressure) a great deal 

 on the other limbs, owing to lameness, say, in one fore limb. 

 Concussion is a common cause. Again it may be the result of 

 a congestion of the lungs (pulmonary apoplexy) changing to 

 the feet (metastasis), likewise it may occur during colic, 

 intluenza, etc. 



Symptoms. — The disease comes on suddenly. The fore 

 feet are commonly affected, frequently the hind, or all four. 



326 



