304 THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 



less interfered with, and as a result the hoof grows down in 

 a series of rings of an irregular appearance. As the whole of 

 the sensitive structures of the foot are more or less involved 

 in the inflammatory process, 'peditis' would, probably, 

 be a better name, and would most certainly convey a more 

 correct idea of the nature of the disease. It is confidently 

 asserted that laminitis is the most painful of all diseases to 

 which the horse is subject, a statement which will be readily 

 credited when the structure of the foot is taken into con- 

 sideration, the parts affected being largely supplied with 

 nerves and bloodvessels, and consequently are extremely 

 sensitive and highly vascular. In these structures, as in all 

 others, a certain amount of swelling supervenes upon in- 

 flammation ; but the structures, being enclosed in the hard 

 and unyielding hoof, are firmly bound down, as it were, and 

 a fearful pressure being brought to bear upon the nerves of 

 the part, naturally gives rise to pain of the most excru- 

 ciating character. Occasionally suppuration occurs in con- 

 nection with the sensitive laminae, and sometimes necrosis 

 of the pedal bone takes place. 



Causes. — Some horses may be said to be predisposed to 

 laminitis. Such animals have large bodies with small legs 

 and weak feet ; and those animals having flat feet are also 

 more or less predisposed to an attack of laminitis. Such 

 animals, however, do not suffer the most severely; but 

 when a horse with strong, deep, and round feet is attacked, 

 his suffering is greater than that of such a horse as above 

 described. The exciting causes are hard and fast work, 

 especially in localities where the roads are paved. This 

 form of laminitis is the most serious. An animal with 

 hish pounding action is likelier to suffer from an attack of 

 laminitis than an animal having a low smooth action. 

 Shoein"- improperly is also mentioned as a cause. It also is 

 likely to follow any irritation or derangement of the diges- 



