362 DISEASES OF THE FEET. 



the most trivial causes ; and tlie acute form, when caused hy 

 concussion, if the animal outlive the primary attack, commonly 

 degenerates into the chronic. The pathological changes, namely, 

 the descent of the toe of the pedal bone, the absorption of its 

 borders, formation of convex and weak sole, and the organiza- 

 tion of a large mass of imperfect horn at the toe, are identical 

 in both forms, the difference being in the severity of the 

 accompanying febrile disturbance, and in the time in which 

 the changes are accomplished. 



The predisposition to inflammation of the feet is often trace- 

 able to hereditary tendency and defective conformation, as well 

 as to bad manasjement of the feet. It is said that horses with 

 wide feet are more liable to the disease than others. Such is 

 not my experience. Indeed, it cannot be said that any one 

 shape of foot is more susceptible than another. It is more 

 commonly found in heavy dray-horses than in those of a lighter 

 breed, this being doubtless due to the great weight the feet of 

 such are compelled to bear, weakened, as they often are, by 

 paring of the sole. 



There are two other classes of horses which are very liable 

 to the disease : — (1st.) The horse which has overgrown his breed, 

 that is to say, an animal with the legs and feet of a well-bred 

 and the body of a cart-horse; (2d.) Small ponies that are 

 excessively fat. In both these instances the inflammation can 

 only be attributed to the unnatural weight of the body being 

 greater than the feet are able to bear. I feel satisfied, however, 

 although the weight predisposes, that the removal of the solar 

 horn is the exciting cause. When horse-shoers learn to discard 

 the drawing-knife, laminitis, except from other clearly defined 

 causes, will be much rarer than at present. 



The more immediately exciting causes are concussion, excite- 

 ment, over-exertion, indigestion, more especially when caused 

 by engorgement of the stomach with wheat, or any other cause 

 of intestinal irritation ; bad shoeing, paring of the feet, tight 

 nailing of the shoes, and high calkins. 



Generally, the disease is confined to the two fore feet, 

 especially when caused by concussion; but it is not very 

 unusual to find all the four feet affected ; sometimes the hind 

 feet only, and, in rare instances, one fore or one hind foot. 

 AVhen one foot only is affected, it is due to an injury to the 



