64 THE HORSE 



tendency to weaken the dam. Excepting when the 

 nights are very warm towards the latter end of June and 

 throughout July, both mare and foal are better housed 

 at night. All brood mares should be bred from regularly, 

 and not have one foal and then miss a couple of seasons, as 

 this tends towards sterility. 



Septic Laminitis 



This disease consists of an inflammation or congestion 

 of the blood vessels and sensitive laminae of both fore, 

 both hind, or all four feet, and it is the result of septic 

 infection, arising from the uterus, the result of septic 

 material such as a portion of cleansing or the whole of 

 that structure being allowed to remain in the uterus until 

 it has undergone decomposition. This is very liable to 

 happen after a mare has " picked her foal," as the cleans- 

 ing is commonly retained, or some portion of it. Many 

 a valuable mare has been lost for the want of proper 

 attention at this particular time. It is impossible to 

 leave a mare in the same disgusting condition which the 

 writer and others doubtless have also seen after a cow 

 has calved. Septic laminitis is an extremely painful and 

 malignant disease, usually leaving the feet with drop 

 soles as a sequel, and sometimes necessitating the destruc- 

 tion of the animal, as not only being the most merciful, 

 but also the most economical. Prevention is, as we all 

 know, better than cure, and septic laminitis is one of those 

 diseases which, by the exercise of ordinary care, can be 

 prevented. 



