INFLAMMATORY AFFECTIONS 265 



(b) Exudation. — The period of exudation marks the out- 

 pouring of the inflammatory fluid. This, even more than 

 the haemorrhages attending the stage of congestion, tends 

 to destroy the intimacy between the sensitive and the 

 horny laminae, leading finally to their complete separation 

 at the region of the toe. Fig. 116 illustrates this state of 

 affairs after laminitis has existed for a week. The sensi- 

 tive and horny laminae are here shown to be distinctly 

 separated from each other, a well-marked cavity existing 

 between them, which cavity is greatest in extent at the toe 



Fig. 116. — Longitudinal Section of a Foot with Laminitis 

 of Eight Days' Standing. 

 The separation between the sensitive structures and the hoof 

 is indicated by a dark line. The cavity is filled with exu- 

 date. It will be noted that as yet there is little change in 

 the position of the os pedis. 



of the os pedis. With the sensitive structures thus de- 

 tached from the wall, it is evident that very much that 

 formerly held the os pedis in normal position has been 

 destroyed. What then happens is that the whole of the 

 body-weight is placed upon the sole. Never intended to 

 bear the strain thus imposed, it naturally sinks. With 

 the sinking is a corresponding ' dropping ' of the pedal 

 bone — in fact, of the whole of the body column. Seeing 

 that the structures above the hoof are still normally 

 adherent to the bones, it follows that they must, as the os 



