288 HORSE, SWINE AND POULTRY DISEASES 



the fore ones are the subjects of the disease, but with an entirely 

 different object in view. Instead of being there to receive weight, 

 they are so advanced that the heels only may receive what little 

 weight is necessarily imposed on them; the fore feet at the same 

 time are placed well back beneath the body, where they become the 

 main supporte. 



Progression is even more difficult now than when the disease is 

 confirmed to the anterior extremities. The fore feet are dubiously 

 advanced a short distance and the hind ones brought forward with a 

 sort of kangaroo hop, that results in an apparent loss of equilibrium 

 which the animal is a few moments in regaining. The general 

 symptoms, or, in other words, the degree of suffering, seem more 

 severe than where the disease affects the fore feet alone. The stand- 

 ing position is not often maintained, the patient seeking relief in 

 recumbency. This fact is easily understood when we consider how 

 cramped and unnatural is the position he assumes while standing 

 and, if it were maintained for any considerable length of time, 

 would, no doubt, excite the disease in the fore feet. 



All Four Feet. Laminitis of all four feet is but uncommonly 

 met with. In all these the position assumed was nearly normal. All 

 the feet were slightly advanced, and first one, then another, mo- 

 mentarily raised from the ground and carefully replaced, this action 

 being kept up almost continually during the time the animal re- 

 mained standing. The suffering is most acute, the appetite lost, and, 

 although the patient lies most of the time, the temperature remains 

 too high. The pulse and respirations are greatly accelerated, the 

 body covered with sweat, and bed sores are unpleasant accompani- 

 ments. 



Course. The course which laminitis takes varies greatly in dif- 

 ferent cases, being influenced more or less by the exciting cause, the 

 animal's previous condition, the acuteness of the attack, and the 

 subsequent treatment. The first symptoms rarely exhibit themselves 

 while the animal is at his work, although we occasionally see the gait 

 impaired by stumbling, the body covered with a profuse sweat, and 

 the respirations becoming blowing in character as premonitions of 

 the oncoming disease ; but, as a rule, nothing is noted amiss with the 

 animal until he has stood for some time after coming in from work, 

 when, in attempting to move him, he is found very stiff. Like all 

 congestions, the early symptoms usually develop rapidly ; yet this is 

 not always the case, for often there appears to be no well-defined 

 period of congestion, the disease seemingly commencing at a point 

 and gradually spreading until a large territory is involved in the 

 morbid process. 



^Simple Congestion. Those cases of simple congestion of the 

 laminae, which we erroneously call laminitis, are rapidly developed, 

 the symptoms are but moderately severe, and but one to three days 

 required for recovery. There are no structural changes and but a 

 moderate exudate. This is rapidly reabsorbed, leaving the parts in 

 the same condition as they were previous to the attack. If the con- 

 gestion has been excessive, a rupture of some of the capillaries will 



