THE MODERN HORSE DOCTOR. 351 



may be applied to the frog and sole, which is to be confined there 

 in the usual manner. Thrush is often the result of morbid habit 

 in the system of the horse, giving rise to an excess of morbific 

 products, which naturally gravitate to the feet, and there find an 

 outlet ; therefore we should not be in too much of a hurry to stop 

 such issue, for by so doing, the matter may be reabsorbed, ana 

 produce sympathetic fever, swollen legs, &c. The safest way, 

 therefore, is to treat the disease both locally and constitutionally. 



ACUTE INFLAMMATION OF THE FEET. — {Laminitis.) 



Acute inflammation of the feet differs very little in its physical 

 phenomena from inflammation in other parts of the system, ex- 

 cept in the former it appears more complete and permanent. Of 

 the agents which produce laminitis, which cause more blood to 

 flow into the vessels of the foot, which regulate their enlargement 

 or constriction, and finally induce effusion of serum, lymph, or 

 fibrin, and produce alterations in the structure of the foot, much 

 has been conjectured, yet very little is known. It may be safe 

 for us to argue, however, that the same causes that operate in 

 producing inflammatory action in other parts are all-sufficient in 

 laminitis. In acute laminitis we have an afflux of blood, from 

 which arises that feverish heat known as fever in the foot : the 

 development of heat being directly proportioned to the activity 

 and fulness of the circulation — heat is accompanied with redness 

 and pain ; increased pulsation in arteries leading to the foot : this 

 increased pulsation seems due to obstruction in channels through 

 which blood usually circulates with freedom, while the same or 

 even an augmented force continues to impel it. "We next observe 

 effusion of serum, lymph, and fibrin ; though we repeat that 

 laminitis does not differ from inflammation in some other parts. 

 The varieties of laminitis are acute and subacute ; the former 

 follows excessive work : in such cases the system becomes ex- 

 hausted ; then follows local increase of blood in consequence of 

 weakness in the propelling forces — lungs, heart, and capillaries. 

 When acute laminitis follows a long drive on hard ground or 

 pavement, or violence of any sort, including long-continued paw- 

 ing or stamping, the blood is determined to the feet by a high and 



