LAMINITIS. 1083 



are not extended, and while symptoms of inflammation of the foot 

 are wanting, the muscles of the limb seem in a state of abnormal 

 tension, and are painful on pressure. 



Prognosis. The consequences depend partly on the severity of the 

 attack, partly on the stage at which treatment is resorted to, and 

 partly on the formation of the hoof and the character of the com- 

 plications. The intensity of the disease varies greatly ; it may be 

 fairly estimated by the- degree of pain. Prognosis is less favourable 

 when the hoofs are already deformed, and especially when the soles 

 are dropped. Cases following errors in diet are less favourable than 

 those of rheumatic origin ; and when all four feet are attacked, 

 there is less hope of recovery than when the front feet alone are 

 implicated. Finally, heavy-bodied horses suffer more severely than 

 lighter animals. 



Laminitis may terminate by resolution, or, owing to structural 

 changes within the hoofs, the disease may pass into the chronic 

 condition. The chief complications are haemorrhage, suppuration, 

 and necrosis. 



To ensure resolution, treatment must be adopted within the first 

 twenty-four to forty-eight hours. In this case recovery is generally 

 complete in five or six days, though it should not be forgotten that 

 for weeks after the disappearance of symptoms the tendency to fresh 

 attacks continues, and therefore relapses are exceedingly common. 

 Haemorrhage usually occurs on the second or third day, seldom later 

 in the acute disease. It is due not only to the intense congestion 

 of the keratogenous membrane but also to the effect of traction on 

 the sensitive laminae by the descending os pedis. Blood accumulates 

 between the horny and sensitive laminae, and sometimes oozes at 

 the heels, coronet, and white line. The occurrence of haemorrhage 

 is accompanied by marked aggravation of symptoms, the patient 

 is exceedingly restless, blowing, sweating, and in great pain ; the 

 hoof becomes detached at the coronet, and death may result. 

 Suppuration is less common ; infection may follow excessive paring 

 of the sole, or venesection at the toe. Frequently suppuration is 

 limited to a portion of the sensitive sole, and the existence of pus 

 may only be discovered during convalescence. In some cases sup- 

 puration involves the greater part of the keratogenous membrane, 

 pus appears at the coronet and the hoof may be cast off. Necrosis 

 or gangrene is nearly always secondary to infection and suppuration 

 of the foot. The onset of this complication may be accompanied 

 by slight remission of symptoms, but the apparent improvement 

 in the animal's condition is quickly followed by great prostration, 



