DISEASES. 073 



to the centre of gTa\ity, to assist the function of the hinder ex- 

 tremities in sustaining the weight of the body. In this case, the 

 animal is constantly in side motion, on account of the pain he en- 

 dures Walking is still more difficult, and seems to take place as 

 if the animal was treading on sharp needles, as, the more the an- 

 terior biped is engaged under the body, the more also those legs 

 are loaded with the animal's weight, and the more difficult is theu' 

 movement. But the anterior legs, contrary to their ordinary func- 

 tion (not being adapted to the support of an overshare of the 

 body) sustaining now a great part of its mass, and moreover, 

 comj)elled to assist in the act of propulsion, necessarily and in- 

 evitably become easily fatigued, and too often in their turn be- 

 come likewise affected. Animals suffering with posterior laminitis 

 are found occupying the standing position less freqviently than 

 those whose fore feet are affected. Their unsteady equilibrium, 

 consequent on their mode of standing, tii'es them more quickly, 

 and compels them to lie down, and once on the ground, it is again 

 more difficult to make them rise. They may do so readily with 

 the fore legs, but the posterior extremities do not always respond 

 to the call. 



The attitude of animals suffering with laminitis of all the four 

 feet, is the same as of those which are affected in the fore feet 

 only. All four feet are carried in advance of their plumb line, the 

 anterior forward, the posterior well under the centre of gravity. 

 Sometimes the horse has all his feet somewhat apart, in order to 

 carry the principal part of the weight on the inner side of the 

 foot. The standing posture being painfvil to either foot, the 

 animal lies down most of the time. Locomotion is very difficult 

 and staggering, and the animal can only be induced to move by 

 severe punishment, and even that cruel resort sometimes fails to 

 effect it. If the animal is made to walk, he does it with the great- 

 est difficulty, by reason of the increase of his sufferings, brought 

 on by the displacement. His legs, stiff and trembling, are raised 

 in a convulsive manner, and brought back to the ground with the 

 greatest hesitation, and upon the heels ; the constant motion of 

 the lips of the animal being well characteristic of his sufferings. 



In the ox, laminitis is more frequent in the hind than in the 

 fore feet. It is, however, more serious in the latter, the inner 

 being more affected than the outer toe. The foundered ox walks 

 with hesitation, and takes advantage of every opportunity to lie 



