94 OF THE DISEASES 



We shall endeavour to point out the means by 

 which the acute attack may be prevented from 

 producing permanent disease ; and afterwards the 

 means by which the horse may be preserved useful 

 for work, even if the disease should unfortunately 

 result in alteration of the structure of the foot. 



When inflammation attacks any part or organ, it 

 generally selects the most susceptible portion. 

 Hence, when inflammation is present in the feet, it 

 usually affects the sensitive laminae, because they 

 are the most vascular and therefore the most sus- 

 ceptible structures in the feet. 



It will be remembered, that the sensitive laminae 

 are themselves attached to the coffin bone, and are 

 dovetailed into the insensitive laminae, to which 

 the crust is attached. Thus united the laminae 

 form the bond of union between the interior and 

 exterior parts of the foot. 



Inflammation has several terminations. The 

 most favourable is " resolution," when the parts 

 attacked are completely restored to their former 

 healthy condition. It will, of course, be our object 

 to bring about this termination. 



A more unfavourable termination is effusion from 

 the inflamed and overloaded blood-vessels. In 

 inflammation of the laminae the eff\ision is poured 

 out between the sensitive and insensitive laminae. 

 This deposit gradually loosens their attachment, 

 may ultimately produce separation between them. 



