DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 423 



here than in siclebones. The coronet remains hot and sensitive and 

 somewhat thickened after the laminitis subsides, and a little lameness 

 is present. This lameness persists and the deposits of new bone may 

 readily be detected. 



Sujppu7xi.tion of the sensitive membrane is a somewhat common com- 

 plication, and even when present in its most limited form, is always a 

 serious matter; but when it becomes extensive, and especially where 

 the suppurative process extends to the periosteum, the results are apt 

 to ])e fatal. When suppuration occurs the exudation does not appear 

 to be excessive. It is rich in leucocytes and seems to have caused 

 detachment of the sensitive tissues from the horn prior to the forma- 

 tion of pus in some instances; in others the tissues are still attached 

 to the horn and the suppuration takes place in the deeper tissues. 



Limited suppuration may take place in any part of the sensitive 

 tissues of the foot during- laminitis, and may ultimately be reabsorbed 

 instead of being discharged upon the surface, but g'enerally the process 

 begins in the neighborhood of the toe and spreads backward and upward 

 towards the coronet, finally separating the horn from the coronary 

 band at the quarters. At the same time it spreads over the sole and 

 eventually the entire hoof is loosened and sloughs awaj-, leaving the 

 tissues beneath entirely unprotected. In other instances, and these 

 are generally the cases not considered unusuall}^ severe, the suppura- 

 tion begins at the coronary band; it extends hut a short distance into 

 the tissues, yet destroys the patient by separating the hoof from the 

 coronary band, upon which it depends for support and growth. This 

 form of the suppurative process usuall}' begins in front; for it is this 

 part of the coronary band that is always most actively affected with 

 inflammation, and consequentl}' it is here that impairments first occur. 

 Suppuration of the sensitive sole is more common than of the sensi- 

 tive lamina3 and coronary band. It is present in the majority of cases 

 where there is a dropping of the coffinbone, and in other instances 

 where the effusion at this point is so great as to arrest the production 

 of horn and uncover the sensitive tissues. Except when the result of 

 injury it begins at the toe and spreads backward, and, if not relieved 

 by opening the sole, escapes at the heel. Suppuration of the sole is 

 much less serious than in other parts of the foot. 



If the acute constitutional symptoms developed from sloughing of 

 the foot do not result in death, a new hoof of ver}^ imperfect horn 

 may be developed after a time; but unless the animal is to be kept for 

 breeding purposes alone the foot will ever be useless for work and 

 death should relieve the suffering. When only the sole sloughs 

 recovery takes place with proper treatment. 



Peditis. — This is the term that Williams applies to that serious 

 complication of laminitis where not only the lamina?, but the perios- 

 teum and the coffinbone also are subjects of the inflammator}- process. 



