LAMINITIS. 431 



This is a common terminatiou, and one which may ever after- 

 wards render the animal useless, even for the performance of 

 slow work upon soft ground ; while the more favourable forms 

 of it disqualify the animal, in a great measure, for rapid loco- 

 motion especially upon hard macadamized roads. 4th — In the 

 hoofs being gradually cast, and new ones being as gradually re- 

 produced. Erom the commencement to the completion of this 

 termination, a period of ten or twelve months will be neces- 

 sary. 5th — In the sub-acute and chronic forms of the malady : 

 in this state the animal may remain for an uncertain period. 



Catjses. — The causes of Laminitis are numerous. Concus- 

 sion is the most common, especially when acting in association 

 with exhaustion of the vital powers generally, and of the feet in 

 particidar; and this is very likely to happen from riding or 

 driving the animal inordinate distances. Exposing the feet to 

 severe cold ; as for example, when the animal is compelled to 

 stand for a long time in half-melted snow, and then being sud- 

 denly removed to a close, warm stable. The animal being 

 prevented, for a long period, from lying down, either in 

 consequence of disease, or from being confined on board a 

 ship. 



Indigestion, either from causes which have been in opera- 

 tion for a long time, or from those of a recent character — such 

 as the eating of wheat, or gorging the stomach in consequence 

 of getting to the corn chest during the night. Indigestion is 

 a more common cause of this disease than is generally supposed. 

 Young horses kept for a time in loose boxes, and made fat vrith 

 soft food to prepare them for sale, are very prone to manifest 

 Laminitis if suddenly put to work, especially if this is associated 

 with change of diet. Many young horses have died from 

 inflammation of the feet arising from this cause ; and the 



