THE MODERN HORSE DOCTOR. 353 



his hind legs under his body, to support the weight. If the disease 

 is in the hind legs, he stands on his toes, bringing his fore legs to the 

 centre of gravity. This complaint is accompanied with great heat 

 round the feet, accelerated respiration, and sometimes sweating. 



" Should the symptoms continue, there is an effusion of coagu- 

 lated lymph or blood between the sensible and the horny lamina?, 

 in consequence of which the coffin bone descends upon the sensi- 

 ble and horny sole, the sole becomes convex, and the front of the 

 hoof is depressed in the centre, or rendered more oblique." 



ISText to over-exertion and concussion on hard pavements, the 

 drinking of cold water when the animal is heated is the next 

 cause assigned. It is well known to horsemen, that founder often 

 sets in from the latter cause, and also after a hard drive followed 

 by a full meal ; and what is founder but an aggravated case of 

 laminitis ? 



Treatment of Laminitis. — We have tried various kinds of 

 remedies for this affection, but never found any thing equal to 

 packing, after the fashion of hydropathy. The feet are to be en- 

 closed in bandages saturated with a weak mixture of arnica — 

 eight ounces of tincture of arnica to one gallon of water ; the 

 bandages are to be about five yards in length and four inches 

 broad. Before applying the bandage, have the shoes carefully 

 removed, cleanse the feet with soft soap and water, and adapt to 

 each a piece of flat sponge just the size of the sole. This answers 

 the purpose of a soft cushion for the horse to stand on, and at the 

 same time keeps the sole moist. Having now applied the bandage, 

 and secured it with tape, nothing further is needed but to keep 

 the parts moist for several days, readjusting the bandage, how- 

 ever, if it should become loose. The constitutional treatment 

 depends upon circumstances : it may be proper in all cases to 

 keep the patient on thin gruel, scalded mashes, and boiled roots, 

 and to give an occasional dose of sulphur and cream of tartar. 

 Should the patient evince signs of much agony, give a few 

 drenches of infusion of hops or poppy heads. High inflammatory 

 symptoms are to met with arnica ; dose, twenty drops of the tinc- 

 ture every six hours, to be given in clear water ; this the animal 

 will generally drink. Should thirst prevail, the drink must be 

 acidulated with cream of tartar, or a few drops of acetic acid. 

 30* 



