96 THE ARMY HORSE. 



the best method is to push the horse backward, when, if affected 

 he will elevate the toes and throw his weight npon the heels, 



AMien the hind feet only are affected the patient stands with 

 all four feet together; the front feet are held under the body 

 to support as much weight as possible and the hind feet are 

 l)rought forward to throw weight upon the heels. '\"\lien all 

 four feet are affected the symptoms will be a combination of 

 the foregoing, with heat in all the feet, some degree of throb- 

 l)ing of the digital arteries, and flinching when the hoof is 

 tapped with a hammer. 



The pulse in laminitis is full, strong, and rapid and will 

 maintain these characteristics even after general debilit}" has 

 become manifest. In some instances the animal will lie down 

 upon his side, Avith the legs stretched out, for hours at a time, 

 evidently feeling great relief in this position ; in other cases, 

 particularly during the early period of the disease, he will 

 stand persistently. 



Treatment. — Remove the shoes from the affected feet; stand 

 the horse in hot water for several hours each day, or, Avliat is 

 equall}^ good and perhaps safer, apply hot flaxseed poultices, 

 changing them ever}^ hour as they become cold. After two or 

 three days of this treatment change to cold water, which can 

 be applied either in the form of a footbath or by standing the 

 animal in a running stream for five or six hours at a time. 

 As soon as the pain has diminished, moderate exercise is bene- 

 ficial ; this may be gradually increased until the animal shows 

 no further sign of trouble. If, after five or six days, pro- 

 nounced symptoms of recovery are not apparent, apply a stiff 

 blister of cantharides around the coronet, repeating the blister 

 if necessary. In addition to the local treatment, nitrate of 

 potash (saltpeter), in doses of 2 to 4 ounces, may be given 

 three times a day. If the horse is constipated, give 1 quart of 

 raw linseed oil. 



SEEDY TOE. 



Seedy toe is a mealy condition of the inner wall of the hoof, 

 the white line, and sometimes the sole. It is most frequently 

 seen in the front feet. 



Causes. — Undue pressure, clips on shoes, or the result of 

 laminitis. 



Treatment. — Pare the Avail of the cavity until healthy horn 

 is reached and pack Avith tar and oakum. Stimulate healthy 

 groAvth of horn by the application of a cantharides blister at 

 the coronet. 



