LAMINITIS. 1081 



infectious disease, or after difficult parturition, and as a sequel of 

 superpurgation. Imminger, who states that about 1 per cent, of 

 mares become affected with " parturition laminitis," considers the 

 disease due to toxic substances produced in the retained lochise. 

 It is commonest after abortion or difficult delivery, and is then very 

 dangerous. He says, however, that the feet seem to suffer less than 

 the muscles. 



Symptoms and course. At first, the symptoms may be indefinite, 

 sometimes pointing to disease of the chest or abdomen, the horse ap- 

 pearing dull, with arched back, stiff loins, irregular surface temperature 

 or slight rigors, and feeding indifferently. But when acute congestion 

 of the feet has set in the horse is found blowing, sweating in patches, 

 with a full, bounding pulse (60 to 80), and a fever temperature (104° 

 to 106° !Fah.). The conjunctivae are injected, the bowels constipated 

 or relaxed, the mouth is hot and dry, and urine passed in small quantity. 

 The affected feet are hot, very sensitive to light percussion, and the 

 digital arteries can be felt, sometimes seen, strongly pulsating. The 

 horse is not inclined to move, even forwards, though when forced, 

 he lifts each fore-foot alternately, frequently tapping the litter before 

 advancing. After a few steps he moves with less hesitation and soon 

 improves in action. Laminitis of the fore-feet is generally shown 

 by the horse " drawing " the fore-feet when set back, or by his attempts 

 to avoid placing weight on the fore limbs, which are thrust forward, 

 the feet resting on the heels, and the hind feet carried forward to 

 take a greater share of the load and to relieve the front feet. The 

 horse refuses to assist in raising a fore -foot ; and when turned he 

 l ' pivots " on the hind feet, the front feet being advanced as far 

 as possible and the heels first brought in contact with the 

 ground. 



In laminitis of the hind feet the horse thrusts the front feet as far 

 backwards, under the body, as possible, and, in order to relieve the 

 toes of weight, brings the hind feet forward to rest on the heels. 

 Thus he stands " bunched up," with the head and neck carried low, 

 and if forced to move sometimes lifts the hind legs convulsively. 

 When in a stall or box, he generally rests the hind-quarters against 

 the wall, and in severe cases will endeavour still further to relieve 

 the hind feet of weight by passing his head over the side of the stall, 

 and hanging back from it by his head. If both the hind feet and 

 front feet are affected, movement of any kind is exceedingly painful. 

 The animals can scarcely be got out of the stable, and groan when 

 forced to move. Although the disease is so painful, horses usually 

 stand until exhausted. Once having lain down, however, they only 



