LAMLNITIS (FOUNDER) 225 



mare or cow, or with pneumonia, or bronchitis. Laminitis espe- 

 cially is apt to occur in a horse that is worked during a period 

 of digestive disturbance. 



Pathology. — There is first of all an inflammation of the sensi- 

 tive parts within the hoof, especially tlie sensitive laminte, and 

 velvety tissue. In severe cases, this inflammation may become 

 supi)urative. This early inflammation is followed by an exu- 

 date, which may be either slight or profuse and more or less 

 persistent. In persistent eases with considerable exudate, the 

 toe of the os pedis (third 

 phalanx) is gradually 

 drawn dowuAvard against 

 the sole, leaving the sole 

 convex, and the horse per- 

 manently unsound. 



Termination. — Lami- 

 nitis may terminate in re- 

 covery and practical res- 

 toration of the affected fig. 76.— Foundered Hoof, (B. A. I.) 

 parts, or there may remain Au old case. 



a convex sole and a chronic 



soreness with a tendency for the hoof to grow to an unnatural 

 shape. See Figiire 76. In the latter case, the wall becomes 

 wrinkled transversely, and grows unevenly. 



Treatment. — These are usually serious cases, and call for pro- 

 fessional attendance and skill if such is obtainable. Any general 

 treatment that could be suggested might be unwise in some 

 cases, and wrongly applied in others. 



A treatment that is frequently satisfactory consists in keep- 

 ing the feet wrapped with burlap and wet with cold water for 

 some time — several days if necessary. Sometimes this may be 

 done by standing the horse in a shallow stream, preferably with 

 a soft bottom, or a pack of crushed ice maj^ be used. 



If he is compelled to stand for any great length of time in 

 order to keep the feet in cold water, then he should be sup- 

 ported by a sling. AYhen a horse must be kept in the stable, he 

 should have a large box stall with deep, soft bedding. Severe 

 cathartics must be avoided, but it may be desirable to give very 

 mild doses of aloes, or raw linseed oil. A dose of aloes for this 

 purpose would be one half ounce or less; that of the oil would 

 be about one pint, either one repeated as necessary. Two to 



