318 TREATMENT OF LAMENESS. 



stances, afford much immediate relief; but if, on the contrary, 

 he is inclined to throw his weight upon the heels, a thin-heeled 

 shoe should be used. The shoe recommended by Mr. Broad, of 

 Bath, for laminitis, which will be described hereafter, answers 

 the purpose in all such cases, except when the posterior part of 

 the limb and heel descend from ruptured sesamoidean hgament, 

 as already mentioned. 



Such, then, are the first circumstances to which the practi- 

 tioner must attend, in order to place the injured structures in 

 a state of repose. 



When the parts are put in as complete a state of rest 

 as possible, the effects of the primary lesion will command 

 attention. These are inflammation, with pain, and perhaps 

 swelling. 



The inflammation is the result of the injury, and, except in 

 cases where the textures involved have become torn, lacerated, 

 or crushed, it is the only morbid condition present in the early 

 period of the lameness. 



It is of the utmost importance to bear this in mind, as by 

 proper attention to the animal, alterations of structure may be 

 prevented ; whereas if he be now neglected, worked from day to 

 day, and otherwise improperly treated, organic changes ensue, 

 rendering the lameness incurable, or curable only by a length- 

 ened process of repair. 



For the reduction of the inflammation, hot or cold applications 

 to the part are useful. I prefer warm, considering that they are 

 more soothing in the early stages than cold. Notwithstanding 

 my own preference to w^arm applications in the earlier stages, I 

 must in justice state that the general belief is in the efficacy of 

 cold at first, warm afterwards ; and that this belief is based upon 

 the ground that cold moderates excessive vascular action, by 

 causing vital contraction of the vessels, and hence its applica- 

 tion immediately after the receipt of blows or injuries restrains 

 inflammation ; and that heat acts by soothing the nervous system 

 of the part, relaxes the vessels and tissues, so that the vessels 

 relieve themselves by effusion ; in other words, heat promotes 

 the secretory inflammation. 



There is, however, no rule to guide the practitioner in pre- 

 scribing either hot or cold, and the choice is very often a matter 

 of experience. 



