ACUCE LAMINITIS. 407 



secretion of horn is carried on ; and since it is a law with secre- 

 tory organs, that under inflammation secretion is either augmented 

 or diminished, or else altogether suppressed, so must we expect 

 the secretion of horn to be in one of these ways affected under 

 laminitis. At first, or, during such time as inflammation is just 

 beginning or moderately prevailing, or indeed at the time that the 

 inflammation is on the decline, the secretion of horn may become 

 augmented; but when, as in acute laminitis, inflammation runs 

 fearfully high, the secretion of horn becomes stopped : the secreting 

 vessels oozing forth in lieu thereof serous fluid or coagulable lymph. 

 The effect of this is — as well from the want of the adhesive 

 cement of the new horn, as from the interposition between them of 

 serum and coagulable lymph, or of pus — disunion and separation of 

 the sensitive and horny laminae, and consequent disconnexion, and 

 dislodgment backward and downward, of the coffin-bone. Such a 

 termination as this it is that is to be dreaded in every attack 

 of laminitis ; for, once let descent of the coffin-bone take place, 

 and the horse, if not rendered thereby entirely useless, becomes 

 certainly valueless for any purpose for which a sound horse is 

 required. This it is that renders it of the utmost consequence that 

 our treatment for a seizure with acute laminitis should be of that 

 prompt and energetic description which is most likely to check or 

 subdue the disease at once ; since, if this chance be suffered to go 

 by, without being taken due advantage of at the moment, our 

 sufferer is as surely lost to all likelihood, if not of life, of after 

 soundness and serviceability, as though we had from the begin- 

 ning left him to his fate or put a pistol to his head. 



The Prognosis of a disease so frequently destructive of life, 

 or of that which makes life supportable, as acute laminitis, ought 

 to be given with great caution and consideration. Supposing we 

 are called in to attend the sufferer from the very beginning of his 

 ailments, when asked the question as to his probable fate — which 

 we are sure to be — it must be represented by us, that no opinion 

 can be ventured thereon in this incipient stage. But should our 

 calling-in be late — not until symptoms be making their appear- 

 ance denotive of an unfavourable termination, such as separation 

 of the laminae, sinking of the sole, suppuration, &c.; — or should the 



