DISEASES. 



687 



— sick in fact ; and it is only after various general symptoms that 

 the disease localizes itself in the feet, or, as the old phraseology 

 has it, falls in the feet. 



The most effective cause is too abundant and especially too 

 substantial feeding, which produces plethora by rich blood. It 

 is the use of other grains than oats, as wheat, barley or rye, 

 which especially predisposes to the disease. Latin authors called 

 it hordeatlo (from hordeum, barley), and it is mentioned by Sol- 

 leysel, Garsault, Gaspard de Saunier, and various hippiatrics. 

 Rodet has observed its bad effects in Egypt and in Spain, where 

 animals were fed not only with those grains, but where they received 

 wheat in spike. MHtenberger had observed the same effects dur- 

 ing the war of 1812, in Poland, where the horses were fed with 

 rye. Even in our days laminitis is seen breaking out in the years 

 when feed is scarce and when oats have to be replaced by other 

 grains, as is proved by the observations of Bouley, Verrier, Key, 

 etc. Artificial varieties of fodder also predispose to founder, 

 though less often ; even oats, when given in excess, may produce 

 it (SoUeysel, Blind), and especially if new oats (Hertwig). 



The influence of seasons cannot be denied, and it is during 

 the summer months that laminitis is more frequent, while it is 

 rare in winter, as well as in the spring and fall. It is to the warm 

 chmates of Spain and Egypt that Rodet attributed, in great part, 

 the frequency of the founder observed in the army horses en- 

 gaged in campaigning in those countries. It has been also attrib- 

 uted to the su.dden checking of the perspiration, and cutaneous 

 chills when the animals are sweating ; a cold bath or the drink- 

 ing of cold water at that moment having also often been consid- 

 ered as occasional causes. 



The work of the horse greatly influences the development of 

 laminitis. It is more frequent in those which are driven at great 

 speed than in those which work while walking, and especially in 

 whose frame an excess of strength is required, and particularly 

 those which labor on rough and stony ground. It is almost in- 

 evitable if the animal is well fed, and if he is unaccustomed to 

 that kind of work and not trained for it, and most especially if it 

 is during warm weather. This explains why the disease was so 

 frequent among post, diligence and coach horses, especially diu'- 

 ing the period preceding the establishment of railroads, when the 

 expenditure of strength exacted from these unfortunate animals 



