130 CAUSES, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT OF ■ 



ing hoof, which adds to the severity of the irritation, and in inflam- ; 

 mation of these parts, the same changes take place, to a certain ' 

 extent, as in other parts ; but swelling can only take place to a 

 moderate extent, making it more severe. But suppuration of the ; 

 sensitive laminae takes place, and often necrosis of the bone. i 



Causes. — Some are said to be predisposed — some breeds, and those i 

 having weak feet — but it may occur in any kind of feet, and, in an | 

 acute attack, in a good strong foot, it is apt to be more severe than in J 

 a worse foot. Hard and fast work are exciting causes. It may be | 

 produced easily, and is more common in the hot months of summer. ' 

 Shoeing is put down as a cause, and perhaps it is in some cases. If - 

 the shoe bears upon one part of the foot, it may set up irritation. ' 

 This may spread and involve the sensitive laminae. Any irritation | 

 of the stomach and intestines is liable to be followed by laminitis, j 

 because there is a similarity of structure in the laminae, skin, and i 

 mucous membranes, and irritation in any of these, especially the 

 stomach, is liable to extend and involve the feet. Some feeds are I 

 more likely to produce it than others ; even a small amount of wheat, ; 

 just sufficient to set up slight colicky pains ; these pass off and the : 

 animal is attacked with laminitis. And the same may occur from . 

 irritation of any mucous membrane. The irritation of parturition " 

 sometimes causes it. An ordinary dose of physic may produce it. 1 

 Some call this metastasis ; that is, that when inflammation attacks ; 

 one part, it is liable to fly from that and attack some other ; but I • 

 think this is incorrect. Laminitis may be easily produced by driving : 

 an animal eight or nine miles on a hot summer day, and then put in ! 

 a stable where the perspiration is suddenly checked by a draught, etc. ; 



Symptoms. — It is easily detected if in the acute form. There is ■ 

 fever, and a quick, full, bounding pulse, fifty, sixty, or seventy 

 beats per minute, and perhaps sweats bedew the body, and it may 

 remain in this condition for some time. The horse is stiff, and 

 moves with the greatest difficulty ; the constitutional symptoms are 

 violent, and you might think he was suft'ering from disease of some 

 internal organ ; especially if his wind is affected in any way, you 

 might think he was suffering from some disease of the respiratory 

 organs ; after seeing one case you should easily recognise the next. 

 The horse generally retains the standing posture, but sometimes 

 lies down. These symptoms may be present in other diseases, but 

 if you attempt to back him then the true character of the disease 

 shows itself. He throws his weight upon the heels to relieve the 

 toe, and if you attempt to push him back he drags the feet ; there 

 will be heat around the coronet and a throbbing of the plantar 

 arteries. If it is only in the fore feet, as is generally the case, he 

 walks in a peculiar manner, throws his weight upon his hind 

 limbs by putting them under him, and goes in a kind of jumping 

 manner, keeping the weight upon the frog. A casual observer might 

 think it was inflammation of the lungs or kidneys. When both fore 

 and hind feet are affected, the symptoms differ ; he will endeavour to 

 throw weight upon the hind feet, although they are affected. He will 

 stand with the feet close together, and when the weight is thrown upon 

 one foot it is jerked up quickly, almost as if suffering from some ner- 

 vous disease. Sometimes it is produced in only one foot, and when so 

 it is generally from some well marked cause. It is likely to follow 

 some injury to the foot, in which he cannot mark the limb, and stands 

 upon the sound one, and it not infrequently brings on laminitis in the 

 sound limb, as well as ringbone, spavin, etc. In such cases watch the 



