DISEASES AND INJURIES. 203 



itself suddenly in the joints of the limbs as the stifle, fetlock, 

 hock, knee, or sheaths of the tendons. There is great lame- 

 ness and pain on pressure, and often more than one part is 

 affected; not unfrequently the swelling and pain leave the 

 joint as suddenly as they came, and attack another part. 

 The heart is often involved. In bad cases the joints are 

 much enlarged. 



Treatment. Hot fomentations to the inflamed parts, of 

 water in which poppy heads have been steeped ; with gruel 

 in which ounce doses of the bicarbonate of potass have been 

 dissolved. The animal should be kept comfortable, and if 

 there is constipation a mild dose of physic may be given. 

 If the fever runs high, salicylate of sodium in two-drachm 

 doses three times a day should be given in a pint of water or 

 gruel. When the inflammation in the joints or sheaths of 

 the tendons becomes chronic, then it may be necessary to 

 rub them with the white or soap liniment, or with a lini- 

 ment prepared as follows : Coutt's acetic acid, two ounces ; 

 whisky, two ounces ; oil of turpentine, two ounces. One 

 white of egg to be beaten up with these. The skin should 

 be first well brushed, then the liniment should be firmly 

 rubbed in. 



Laminitis. 



Heavy horses are more liable to inflammation of the feet, 

 perhaps, than light ones ; and the fore feet are much oftener 

 affected than the hind ones. Many causes will give rise to it, 

 such as bad shoeing, injuries, severe travelling in hot weather, 

 indigestion, superpurgation, &c., while it is often a sequel of 

 pneumonia, influenza, &c. 



Symptoms. This is a most painful disease, and is accom- 

 panied by a considerable amount of fever. The horse per- 

 spires, breathes quickly, and looks as if suffering intense 

 agony ; t.ie symptoms might be mistaken for inflammation 

 of the lungs, but attempting to make the horse move reveals 



