LAMENESS IN THE FORE LEG 163 



and often leads to errors in diagnosis, the condition sometimes 

 being taken for diseases of the loins or kidneys. 



If all four feet are involved, the animal stands in the usual 

 position assumed in health, but if urged to move, the least effort 

 to do so usually brings on chronic spasms of the entire body. In 

 very severe cases, a slight touch of the hand will develop the 

 spasms. At times they are so severe, and have such short inter- 

 missions, that the disease has been mistaken for tetanus. How- 

 ever, the clonic nature of the spasm should prevent such an 

 error. If tli-y are lying down, it is difficult to get them to arise, 

 and if they do so, they show marked symptoms of pain for some 

 time after rising. 



If the disease is confined to the hind feet, they are placed 

 well forward to relieve the strain on the toe caused by the down- 

 ward pull of the perforans (deep flexor) tendon, but in place of 

 the front feet ])eing kept in front of a perpendicular line, as they 

 are when the disease is confined to the front ones, they are placed 

 far back under the body, so they will carry the maximum share 

 of the body weight of which they are capable. The position of 

 the feet is of great importance and offers symptoms that should 

 not be overlooked. 



Wlien the subject is caused to walk, symptoms of excruciating 

 pain are manifested in all acute cases of laminitis. In some cases 

 where all four feet are affected, no reasonable amount of per- 

 suasion will cause the suffering animal to move from its tracks. 

 There is acceleration of the rate of heart action; the pulse 

 is full and in some cases, bounding. As the affection progresses 

 the pulse becomes rather weak and irregular. The character of 

 the pulse in the region of the extremity is a reliable indicator; 

 but one has to learn to make necessary discrimination because 

 of the condition of the parts, as in some cases of lymphangitis 

 or where the skin is abnormally thick. The characteristic throb- 

 bing pulse is, however, easily recognized in most cases. Tem- 

 perature is variable, though usually elevated from one to four 

 degrees above normal. This symptom varies with the type and 

 stage of the affection. In a subject tliat has been down, unable 

 to rise for several days, where there is a suppurative and slough- 

 ing condition of the laminae, the temperature is high. Whereas, 

 in some other and less destructive cases there may be little 

 thermic disturbance after the first few hours have lapsed. 



A constant symptom in liilateral affections of acute laminitis 



