PUMICE FOOT. 426 



Pumice Sole can have but one Origin. — Its existence 

 is demonstrative proof either of the presence or of the pre-exist- 

 ence of laminitis, in the acute or sub-acute form. Those dove- 

 tailed and intimate bonds of union between the sensitive and 

 horny laminse which hardly any amount of mechanical force 

 can, in situ, rend asunder, gradually loose their hold under the 

 action of inflammation, and let the coffin-bone down upon the 

 horny sole. This, as we have seen, may result either from 

 acute or sub-acute laminitis, but with these notable differences : — 

 That, whereas under acute inflammation pumice foot is rapid, 

 sometimes sudden, always decided in its occurrence ; under sub- 

 acute inflammation its approach is tardy and stealthy, and for 

 some time doubtful and indeterminable. Indeed, in the latter 

 it often happens that the sinking of the sole is the first intima- 

 tion we obtain of the presence of the disease. The horse may 

 have been observed to step short or gingerly, compared to his 

 usual style of going, and this is succeeded by tenderness of tread 

 to that degree that continuance at work becomes impossible, 

 under which circumstance we are called to examine his feet, and 

 to the surprise, probably, of the owner, find the soles either actu- 

 ally sunk or shewing unmistakeable signs of sinking. Pumice 

 sole resulting from acute laminitis is, as we have seen, though 

 at all times a lamentable affair, a more complicated and serious 

 one still, from its so frequently having suppuration of the foot 

 as an accompaniment ; and when this proves to be the case, all 

 prospect of remedy may be said to be at an end. It is not so, 

 however, in the case wherein pumice foot follows a sub-acute or 

 low kind of inflammation. Here, there is not the tendency to 

 suppuration, but rather to adhesive action ; and this it is that 

 on occasions invites us to take the case under treatment ; and 

 now and then we succeed in restoring the integrity of the 

 breach and soundness of the sole. But this, I am reluctantly 

 forced to add, is but a rare issue compared with the states of 

 pumice sole which defy our art at eff'ecting such restoration of 

 them as will render the feet again useful for work. 



The Treatment of Pumice Sole — when the case happens 

 to be of such a nature as to inspire us with hope through judi- 



VOL. IV. 3 I 



