376 HEALTH AND DISEASE 



over with a pledget of cotton-wool, so that none of the bran and meal 

 may enter the wound. When the inflammatory action has been subdued, 

 poulticing may cease, and the carbolized dressing may be applied three 

 times a day, with the cotton-wool covering made secure ^by tapes or 

 cross-sticks, and the foot enclosed in a bag or boot. Later, a blister 

 over the coronet and cold water swabs to the feet, conjoined with rest, 

 will complete the cure. 



In mild cases of the disease cold-water irrigation, wet swabs to the 

 feet, and rest on a soft surface are all that is required. 



Leather soles and " stopping " should be worn for some time after 

 the lameness has disappeared, and by some animals at all times. 



LAMINITIS FEVER IN THE FEET 



Definition. Laminitis consists of an inflamed condition of the sensi- 

 tive laminae, or, more properly, of the entire thickness of the layer of 

 skin which intervenes between the hoof and the pedal or foot bone. In 

 addition, however, to this, the foot bone itself is invariably in a state 

 of general congestion, and in acute and protracted cases undergoes very 

 marked changes of form and structure in consequence. The disease is 

 much more prevalent in the heavier than in the lighter breeds of horses, 

 and among stallions especially during the early period of the season 

 when their services are first called for. 



Causes. - - By some heredity is regarded as a predisposing factor in 

 the production of the disease, and there is much to be said in favour of 

 this view of its origin. Animals with wide, flat feet, low at the heels, 

 and wanting in hoof -horn, are especially liable to contract it, but none 

 can be said to be altogether exempt from it. The exciting causes are 

 many and various. Among them may be mentioned high feeding during 

 a long period of idleness, the injudicious use of certain kinds of grain, 

 especially barley, beans, and wheat when new. It is also provoked by 

 long and fast driving on hard roads, particularly in horses with high 

 beating action and heavily fleshed. 



It frequently follows upon protracted disease of the organs of the 

 chest, which compels the sufferer to stand for long periods without re- 

 moving the weight from the feet; and, for reasons which cannot be clearly 

 stated, it sometimes comes on after foaling, and less frequently in con- 

 sequence of the action of a dose of physic. It may also result from 

 exposure to cold and wet after a long and fatiguing journey. 



Symptoms. The onset of laminitis is usually sudden, and little or 

 no warning is given of its oncoming. The fore-limbs are most frequently 



