368 DISEASES OF THE FEET. 



from neglect or improper treatment, separation at the coronet 

 has commenced, or the pedal bone is so far displaced that there 

 is danger of its toe protruding through the sole, or if it is already 

 through, keep the special shoes on, dress daily with hot tar 

 until the opening in the sole has been filled up, and a particle 

 of horny matter thrown out and become dry ; after which, as 

 soon as the horse can walk, get him into the wettest pasture 

 that can be found, and if he is not excessively lame, take his 

 shoes off, rasp the heel low, and shorten the toes, so as to bring 

 the sole in contact with the ground. This operation is to be 

 repeated every three or four weeks, which will in time ensure 

 sound and perfect feet as before the attack occurred, notwith- 

 standing that all four of the pedal bones may have protruded 

 through the soles ; but it may require from six to twelve 

 months before a new wall has grown down perfect and the 

 sensitive lamina recovered its normal exudative powers. If 

 the feet are not properly and regularly attended to, they will 

 not recover their natural shape, but will be deformed, especi- 

 ally at the toes. A wet pasture is essential, as the horn will 

 gTOW as much in one month as it would in three months on dry 

 ground. 



" Should the horse be suitable for farm work, he may be used 

 on soft land for months before he is fit for fast road work. 



"Subacute laminitis is, in the majority of cases, a transi- 

 tional stage from the acute to the chronic. Very few cases 

 remain subacute which begin as acute ; yet you may have cases 

 the symptoms of which may be moderate in intensity, and to 

 be considered as subacute from the beginning. 



"The treatment of subacute and chronic laminitis must be 

 a modification of that of the acute disease." 



Like Mr. Broad I have treated a great number of horses 

 suffering from laminitis, and very successfully without exercise. 

 If a horse will not lie down of his own accord, he ought to be 

 cast, when very often the relief which is thus obtained by him 

 will cause him to remain recumbent for many hours or even 

 days. If he lie down persistently he ought to be turned over 

 every four hours or so, bedded on clean dry material, and pre- 

 cautions taken against bruising or other injuries. If he be 

 unable to urinate freely, the catheter must be inserted and the 

 mine drawn off at least four times during the twenty-four hours. 



