402 ACUTE LAMINITIS. 



time the physic was setting. Colic and enteritis likewise have 

 been known so to terminate. 



Metastasis from the brain to the feet is more rare : it has, how- 

 ever, been known to take place*. 



Metastasis from the eyes to the feet is a prevalent notion: though 

 one, I believe, little confirmed by practice. 



Metastatic Laminitis is a less violent and dangerous disease 

 than idiopathic acute laminitis. It commences in a system already 

 depressed and worn by disease, and this seems to account for its 

 comparative want of severity and danger. When once, however, 

 the inflammatory action has betaken itself to the feet, the lungs or 

 bowels or brain, as the case may be, become no longer the object 

 of solicitude, in consequence of the evident decrease in intensity 

 the same action has undergone in them. In one point of view, 

 therefore, metastasis is favourable. So far as the pulmonary or 

 bowel disease is concerned, it may prove the means of saving the 

 animal's life. On the other hand, it is possible, unless the case 

 be skilfully managed, that translated laminitis may, like the idio- 

 pathic disease, end in disorganization of the feet, and consequent 

 irremediable founder. For the same reason that the metastatic 

 disease is rather sub-acute than acute, we cannot — even supposing 

 the case called for it — attack it with the same freedom and bold- 

 ness we could the idiopathic form ; the powers of the constitution, 

 at the time the former sets in, being, in general, in too reduced a 

 condition to admit of this. 



Laminitis may prove Epidemic or Sporadic in its cha- 

 racter. There are seasons — hot summers, perhaps, more particu- 

 larly — in which the disease has been observed to prevail, if not 

 in all parts and places, in some, and to an alarming extent. I can- 

 not say I have seen this occur in my own practice, but I know 

 those who have experienced the sad visitation ; and grievous the 

 consequences of it have proved. 



The Progress of Acute Laminitis is marked by that pain 

 and distress to the animal which cannot fail to excite compassion 

 for him from all around, while even his medical attendant feels 



* On the authority of my late father, Mr. John Percivall. Vide Veteei- 

 IHARIAM for 1829, vol. ii, p. 15. 



