CHAPTER XIX. 



DISEASES OF THE FEET — Continued. 



INFLAMMATION OF THE FEET DIVISIONS OF LAMINITIS PATHOLOGIOAI 



CHANQES CAUSES SYMPTOMS TREATMENT MB. BftOAD*8 



TKEATMENT. 



LAMINITIS. on INFLAMMATION OF THE FEKT. 



Tntlammation of the feet, independent of its subdivisions into 

 acute, subacute, and chronic, is of two kinds, namely, inflam- 

 mation primarily limited to the sensitive laminas and sensi- 

 tive sole ; and ostitis, or inflammation involving the os pedis, 

 laniiiiic, and sole from the very outset. The causes, course, 

 and tractability of the two foims differ; but the first, if not 

 subdued in a short time, is apt to become developed into the 

 latter. 



" Laminitis is one of tho most dreadful diseases the horse is 

 liable to, and is not confined to the feet, although its chief 

 seat is there. It is caused by over-exertion, inordinate feed- 

 ing, drinking cold water when heated, long voyages, from tha 

 horse being compelled to stand in a constrained position, or a 

 sudden chill. It is often communicated to the feet from inter- 

 nal organs, as from pueiunonia, enteritis or bronchitis ; in this 

 case the foot arc aflbctcd as well as the whole surface of the 

 body, the hair of tho mane and tail being often thrown off', 

 and the tendency of laminitis is to throw off the hoof, as well 

 as tho common integuments, in conse(j[iicnce of the general 

 irritation." — (Professor DicK.) 



laminitis, arising from over-exertion and from the con- 

 cussion of hard gallojiing on the road, as in those reprehensibla 

 cases where liorses are run against time, is much more intract- 

 able than when it appears during diseases of . the mucous 

 membranes, when it may pass off as a mere congestive attack, 

 without leaving any structural change; whilst tho form caused 

 by concussion leads to ostitis of the most acute kind, sometimes 

 terminating in necrosis of tho pedal bone, sloughing of the hoof, 

 and a most agonising death. The symptoms of both varieties 

 arc identical, excei>t in their severity, and if tho so-called metu- 



