CHAPTER IX 



INFLAMMATORY AFFECTIONS OF THE KERA- 

 TOGENOUS APPARATUS 



A. ACUTE. 

 Acute Laminitis. 



Definition. — The term 'laminitis' is vised to indicate a 

 spontaneous and diffuse inflammation of the whole of the 

 sensitive structures of the foot, more particularly the sensi- 

 tive laminae. Usually it occurs in the two front feet, often 

 in all four, and occasionally in the hind alone. 



Causes. — In dealing with the causes of laminitis, we will 

 first dispose of those coming under the heading of trau- 

 matic., Correctly speaking, however, lesions of the laminae 

 thus occurring do not present the same symptoms, nor run 

 an identical course with the disease we now purpose de- 

 scribing, and for which we would prefer to entirely reserve 

 the term ' laminitis.' The fact, however, that traumatic 

 causes are detailed in other works on the same subject 

 compels us to give them mention here. 



Strictly traumatic causes giving rise to a limited inflamma- 

 tion of the sensitive laminae are violent blows upon the foot, 

 either purely accidental, or self-inflicted by violent kicking. 



A similar limited laminitis is to be found in the condi- 

 tions we have described under ' Nail-bound and Punctured 

 Foot.' It is met with also in the injuries resulting from 

 tread and overreach, and in the tissue-changes accompany- 

 ing corn. 



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