LAMINITIS. 33 



nevertheless, prolonged travel on stony roads with heavy vehicles, rapid 

 and repeated marches to towns or imj)ortant fairs, are sufficient to pro- 

 duce attacks. Before the days of railways, and for some time after 

 their introduction, in Britain cattle were travelled by road, and laminitis 

 was common. 



Long journej's in crowded railway trucks may also produce the disease, 

 although the animal has not been forced to walk. Persons engaged in 

 exhibiting cattle at shows are well aware of this. Prolonged main- 

 tenance of the standing position will produce the trouble, to which 

 the joltings of the railway journey may also contribute their share. 

 Prolonged standing on board ship may induce laminitis, 



" Show condition " and the consumption of highly nitrogenous, and 

 particularly of farinaceous, foods favour the occurrence of laminitis. 



Breed is also considered to have some influence, and laminitis is said 

 to occur more frequently in animals raised in flat districts, because in their 

 case the space between the digits is larger than in mountain-bred cattle. 

 In this connection the body weight may perhaps play a certain part. 



The symptoms vary somewhat, depending on whether laminitis is 

 general and aft'ects all four feet, or restricted to the two front or the two 

 hind feet. 



The internal claws always seem more severely affected and more sensi- 

 tive than the external. In very rare cases the animal remains standing, 

 l)ut usually it lies down, and will only rise under strong compulsion. 



When standing, the symptoms are similar to those noted in the horse ; 

 the animal ajDpears as though absolutely incapable of moving. If all 

 four feet are afi'ected the animal assumes a position as though just about 

 to rise ; if the front feet alone are affected the animal kneels in front 

 whilst it stands on its hind legs, a very unusual position for the ox to 

 assume ; Anally, if the hind feet alone are affected, the animal seems to 

 prefer a position with the feet under the body both in front and behind. 

 (See Veterinarian, 1894, case by Bayley, and note by Nunn.) 



It is always difficult to make the animal move. Walking seems pain- 

 ful, and most weight is thrown on the heels. The body swings from 

 side to side as the limbs are advanced, and each limb is moved with a 

 kind of general bodily effort. 



The claws are hot, sensitive to the slightest touch, and painful on 

 percussion. 



Throughout the development of laminitis the general symptoms are 

 very marked. The appetite falls off" early, fever soon appears, and in 

 grave cases the temperature rises to 105"^ or to 106° Fahr. Thirst is 

 marked, and the animal seems to prefer cold drinks. The muzzle is dry, 

 the face anxious and expressive of pain. Wasting is rapid. 



The ordinary termination is in resolution, which occurs between the 



D.C. D 



