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SUB-ACUTE LAMINITIS, OR FOUNDER. 



This form of the disease is usually observed in old horses 

 that have been subjected to hard work in cities. Its approach 

 is gradual, and as there is not much pain, heat, or tenderness, 

 this form of laminitis may be mistaken for some other dis- 

 ease. As the pain is not constant, so the lameness disappears 

 at intervals. From these facts some people mistake this dis- 

 ease for rheumatism. I saw a case of this kind last week at 

 the Erie Railway stables. The old stager would go very well 

 for a few days, and then get lame with a sort of intermittent 

 lameness. 



The best remedy for this purpose is warm foot-baths. 

 A change of food from oats to carrots or apples, to keep the 

 bowels open, and the animal removed to the country, where 

 he may do light w^ork on soft ground, for his days of useful- 

 ness in a city are ended. 



PUMICED FOOT. 

 Cause. — This structural disease is one of the termina- 

 tions of acute founder, especially in such cases as have been 

 neglected or mismanaged in the first stage of the attack. It 

 is also brought about by putting a creature too soon to work 

 before recovery is fairly established. It must be borne in 

 mind that during the inflammation there is perverted nutri- 

 tion, and as a consequence the horn secreted is of an inferior 

 quality. Every man familiar with horseflesh, and having a 

 sharp eye, may see furrowed, uneven, or wavy ridges along 

 the hoof parallel to the coronet in many horses. This shows 

 by its irregular appearance the effects of acute laminitis ; 

 and more marked still are those seen when it happens to be 

 chronic laminitis. In these cases the horn is light, spongy, 

 porous, and quite insufficient to bear the weight of an animal 

 while at work. But not only the wall, but the sole of the 

 foot, is injured permanently by the inflammation ; instead of 

 the sole holding its own arched or concave form, it becomes 

 convex. Besides these, the coffln bone may be detached 



