420 BUEEAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 



confined to the anterior extremities. The fore feet are dubiously 

 advanced a short distance and the hind ones brought forward with a 

 sort of kangaroo hop, that results in an apparent loss of equilibrium 

 wliich the animal is a few moments in regaining. The general symp- 

 toms, or, in other words, the degree of suffering, seem more severe 

 than where the disease affects the fore feet alone. The standing posi- 

 tion is not often maintained, the patient seeking relief in recumbenc3^ 

 This fact is easily understood when we consider how cramped and 

 unnatural is the position he assumes while standing, and, if it were 

 maintained for any considerable length of time, would, no doubt, 

 excite the disease in the fore feet, as explained b}^ D'Arboval. 



All four feet. — Laminitis of all four feet is but uncommonly met 

 with. The author has seen but three such cases. In all these the posi- 

 tion assumed was nearly normal. All the feet were slightly advanced, 

 and fii'st one, then another, momentarily raised from the ground and 

 carefully replaced, this action being kept up almost continually during 

 the time the animal remained standing. The suffering is most acute, 

 the appetite lost, and, although the patient lies most of the time, the 

 temperature remains too high. The pulse and respirations are greatly 

 accelerated, the body covered with sweat, and bed sores are unpleasant 

 accompaniments. 



Course. — The course which laminitis takes varies greatly in different 

 cases, being influenced more or less by the exciting cause, the animal's 

 previous condition, the acutcness of the attack, and the subsequent 

 treatment. The first S3^mptoms rarely exhibit themselves while the 

 animal is at his work, although we occasionally see the gait impaired 

 by stumbling, the body covered with a profuse sweat, and the respi- 

 ration become blowing in character as premonitions of the oncoming 

 disease; but, as a rule, nothing is noted amiss with the animal until he 

 has stood for some time after coming in from work, when, in attempt- 

 ing to move him, he is found very stiff. Like all congestions, the early 

 symptoms usually develop rapidly; yet this is not always the case, 

 for often there appears to be no well-defined period of congestion, the 

 disease seemingl}'- commencing at a point and gradually spreading 

 until a large territory is involved in the morbid process. 



Simple congestion. — Those cases of simple congestion of the lamina^ 

 which we erroneously call laminitis, are rapidl3' developed, the symp- 

 toms are but moderately severe, and but one to three days required 

 for recovery. There are no structural changes and but a moderate 

 exudate. This is rapidly reabsorbed, leaving the parts in the same 

 condition as they were previous to the attack. If the congestion has 

 been excessive, a rupture of some of the capillaries -will be found, a 

 condition more apt to obtain where the animal is made to continue work 

 after a development of symptoms has begun. 



