LAMINITIS. 311 



beneficial. At this stage a bar-shoe, made thin at the heel, 

 should be put on. The shoes should not be allowed to 

 remain off too long, neither should poultices be continued 

 for too great a length of time, or undue softening of the 

 hoof will result. Poultices of cow-dung are highly injurious, 

 and should never be applied under any drcumstances what 

 ever, such applications seriously interfering with, and in 

 many cases completely checking, the growth of the horn. If 

 the animal has had one or more previous attacks of lamini- 

 tis, or has pumiced foot, or a foot weak or bad in any way, it 

 is usually advisable not to remove the shoe, but it should 

 be loosened. When venesection is practised, it should be 

 borne in mind that a much smaller dose of cathartic 

 medicine will suffice than when no blood is taken. The 

 patient should be allowed to have plenty of pure cold 

 water to drink, giving it in small quantities, but very often. 

 If large quantities are allowed while under physic, it may 

 interfere with its action ; otherwise it is valuable to allay 

 fever, cooling the animal and favouring diuresis. The 

 after-treatment consists of dieting the animal on food of a 

 light and laxative character, paying attention to the general 

 health, and using carefully for some time. 



Laminitis, Sub-acute and Chronic. — These forms of 

 laminitis are caused by hard work, irregular exercise, and 

 occasionally may arise from some irregularity in feeding, etc. 



Symptoms. — The pulse is sometimes very slightly, but 

 usually not elevated at all. When travelling, the animal 

 goes stumbling and bobbing along, as though having but 

 little control over his feet. Horses having small or flat 

 feet are subject to this form of the disease. The muscles 

 of the chest wither away, and the symptoms presented are 

 very similar to those of navicular disease, from which, how- 

 ever, it may readily be distinguished, as there is more heat 

 in the foot than there would be in a case of navicular disease. 



