1084 DISEASES OF THE FOOT. 



with profuse Bweating, cold limbs and clammy mouth, small thready 

 pulse, sub-normal temperature, and death within forty-eight hours. 



Chronic laminitis may be considered established if after the end 

 of the second week there is not distinct improvement in the patient's 

 condition. Gradually and permanently the hoof becomes more or 

 less deformed, being greatly increased in length and flattened from 

 above downwards. The wall, thick and bulging at the toe, is 

 depressed or almost concave below the coronet ; the sole is thin, flat 

 or convex, the heels are exceptionally strong, and the surface of the 

 wall is marked by ribs or l ' rings," which, running from one heel 

 to the other, are approximated at the depression of the toe-wall, and 

 irregular or broken at the quarters. The horn, especially the lower 

 portions, is altered in quality, being dry, brittle, porous, and easily 

 fractured, and is usually recognised as pumiced-hoof. In movement 

 the horse goes on his heels, tilting the toes, his action closely resembling 

 that seen in lameness arising from pyramidal disease (low ringbone), 

 horn tumour and toe-sandcrack. 



Treatment. As a preventive, all horses not in active work should 

 be exercised daily, and should be placed on reduced diet, while attention 

 should be given to the state of the bowels. Young horses should 

 neither be over-worked nor over-fed especially with highly nitrogenous 

 food. Horses just landed from a long sea voyage should be placed 

 in loose boxes, and fed sparingly on light, easily-digested food. They 

 should not be exercised for a week or so, as even a short journey 

 is apt to precipitate an attack. From the earliest times laminitis 

 has been treated by free bleeding, which, in fact, is useful if early 

 resorted to. During the first three days bleeding from the jugular 

 almost always produces rapid diminution of pain and inflammation. 

 It is especially useful in cases following dietetic mischief, but is also 

 of advantage even in rheumatic laminitis. Local bleeding, either 

 from the coronet or sole, is less effectual ; and the production of 

 a wound in the sole is dangerous, because it may become the starting- 

 point of infection, or purulent inflammation. If, therefore, bleeding 

 from the toe be resolved on, the parts should be treated antiseptically. 

 Bleeding from the coronary plexus is not so dangerous, and 

 scarification of the coronet has often been recommended. Some 

 practitioners recommend abstracting five to six quarts of blood 

 from the jugular and applying mustard plasters to the chest and 

 sides of the thorax. 



The second means of treatment consists in cold applications. Cold 

 poultices may be applied to the feet, or the animal may be placed 

 in running water. When pain is severe poultices deserve preference. 



