74 



of the stable, the animal affected digs the point of the toe into the 

 ground, stepping in a short and stilty manner, until it gets warmed 

 up, when it goes fairly well. The shoe is also much worn away at 

 the toe, and, as a rule, the feet are very strong, high heeled, and 

 contracted [see Plate XL, No. 2). Owing to the constant irritation 

 within the foot, there is an extra growth of horn, giving a box- 

 like appearance to the hoof. The disease is rarely cured, yet 

 an animal can be made to do a great amount of work by careful 

 attention to the feet, such as frequent shoeing, shortening the toe, 

 and dressing the sole thin, to relieve pressure, thus removing the 

 overgrowth of horn, and by shoeing with the India-rubber bar pad 

 and short shoe. Further, applying cold water swabs, nightly, round 

 the feet, and turning the animal into a loose box, instead of allowing 

 it to stand in the stall, also gives relief. Blistering, frog setons, and 

 unnerving, are also useful, but, as above stated, the disease is rarely 

 cured. As a preventive, however, never allow the animal to stand 

 in a stall for days without exercise. If this cannot be given, turn it 

 into a loose box. 



20I. Laminitis. — Inflammation of the sensitive laminae of the feet 

 is commonly called Founder. The disease, which more frequently 

 affects the fore than the hind feet, is a very formidable one. It has a 

 great variety of causes, such as drinking cold water, standing in a 

 draught, or getting too much oatmeal and water, when the animal is 

 heated ; over-feeding with boiled wheat, or Indian corn, or gorging with 

 oats or potatoes ; travelling on snow ; galloping on a hard road ; 

 applying a too hot shoe to the fool, when shoeing ; the effects of too 

 large a dose of physic, or from inflanmiation shifting from one part of 

 the body to another (metastasis) ; or by the retention of the afterbirth, 

 in mares, after foaling, &c. It may be acute, sub acute, or chronic. The 

 Symptoms noticeable are that the animal is very unwilling to 

 stir, the body is thrown backwards, putting the weight on to the 

 hind legs, which are "propped" well forward under the belly, while 

 the fore legs are extended well in front. {Plate XVI.) It moves 

 with great difficulty and reluctance, walking on its heels. In 



