CHAPTER XIX. 



DISEASES OF THE FEET — Continued. 



INFLAMMATION OF THE FEET — DIVISIONS OF LAMINITIS — PATHOLOGICAL 



CHANGES CAUSES SYMPTOMS — TREATMENT — MR. BROAD's 



TREATMENT. 



LAMINITIS, OR INFLAMMATION OF THE FEET. 



Inflammation of the feet, independent of its subdivisions into 

 acute, subacute, and chronic, is of two kinds, namely, inflam- 

 mation primarily limited to the sensitive laminas and sensi- 

 tive sole ; and ostitis, or inflammation involving the os pedis, 

 laminae, and sole from the very outset. The causes, course, 

 and tractability of the two forms differ; but the first, if not 

 subdued in a short time, is apt to become developed into the 

 latter. 



"Laminitis is one of the most dreadful diseases the horse is 

 liable to, and is not confined to the feet, although its chief 

 seat is there. It is caused by over-exertion, inordinate feed- 

 ing, drinking cold water when heated, long voyages, from the 

 horse being compelled to stand in a constrained position, or a 

 sudden chill. It is often communicated to the feet from inter- 

 nal organs, as from pneumonia, enteritis or bronchitis ; in this 

 case the feet are affected as well as the whole surface of the 

 body, the hair of the mane and tail being often thrown offj 

 and the tendency of laminitis is to throw off the hoof, as well 

 as the common integuments, in consequence of the general 

 irritation." — (Professor Dick.) 



Laminitis, arising from over-exertion and from the con- 

 cussion of hard galloping on the road, as in those reprehensible 

 cases where horses are run against time, is much more intract- 

 able than when it appears during diseases of the mucous 

 membranes, when it may pass off as a mere congestive attack, 

 without leaving any structural change ; whilst the form caused 

 by concussion leads to ostitis of the most acute kind, sometimes 

 terminating in necrosis of the pedal bone, sloughing of the hoof, 

 and a most agonising death. The symptoms of both varieties 

 are identical, except in their severity, and if the so-called meta- 



