34 ^ DISEASES OF THE FOOT. 



eighth and fifteenth day, provided the patient has been suitably treated. 

 The disease rarely becomes chronic. On the other hand, the claw occa- 

 sionally separates, as a consequence of haemorrhage or suppuration, 

 between the horn proper and its secreting membrane. Should this 

 complication threaten, the pastern becomes greatly swollen, the ex- 

 tremities become intensely congested, and separation commences at 

 the coronet. Loss of the claws, however, like suppuration, is rare. 



Diagnosis. Congestion of the sole, the early stage of infectious 

 rheumatism and osseous cachexia may, at certain periods of their 

 development, be confused with laminitis ; but the history and the 

 method of development of the above-mentioned diseases always allow 

 of easy differentiation. 



It should, however, be added that, in certain exceptional conditions 

 (suppurating echinococosis, producing chronic intoxication, tumours 

 of the liver, and tumours of the pericardium and mediastinum), 

 symptoms may be shown that suggest the existence of laminitis, 

 although it is not really j)resent. In these cases pain may possibly be 

 felt in the bones of the extremities. 



The prognosis is usually favourable, but necessarily depends on the 

 intensity of the disease. Fat stock always suffer severely. 



The treatment varies in no important particular from that prescribed 

 for the horse, and is usually followed by rapid improvement. The chief 

 indications are free bleeding from the jugular, the application of a 

 mustard plaster over the chest, and the administration of a smart purga- 

 tive (1 to 2 lbs. of sulphate of soda, according to the size of the animal) 

 at first, followed by laxatives. This treatment may be completed by 

 giving salicylate of soda j^cr os in doses of 5 to 8 drams, or arecoline in 

 subcutaneous injection, 1 to 1^ grains. Local treatment consists in cold 

 affusions or poultices to the feet. 



Failing cold baths, clay plasters applied to the feet are useful. To 

 ensure success all these methods should be utilised simultaneously^ In 

 cases of separation of the claw, antiseptic dressings, with a thick pad of 

 tow placed under the sole, become necessary. 



Chronic laminitis may perhaps occur in the ox as in the horse, but, as 

 a rule, oxen are slaughtered before the disease can assume this form. 

 In dealing with fat, or even with fairly well-nourished, oxen it would 

 clearly be more economical to slaughter early, and so prevent wasting 

 and the resulting loss from disease. 



SAND CRACK. 



Sand crack — that is to say, the occurrence of vertical fissures in the 

 Wall of the claw — is not absolutely rare in bovines. It is commonest in 



