272 DISEASES OF THE HORSE'S FOOT 



cause of the attack, the complications, and the idiosyncrasies 

 of the patient, have all to be taken into account. These the 

 veterinarian must be left to judge for himself. 



Treatment. — The treatment of acute laminitis in its 

 early stage must be based upon the fact that we have to 

 deal with a congested state of the circulatory apparatus 

 of the whole of the keratogenous membrane. This fact 

 was well enough known to the older veterinarians. It is 

 not surprising, therefore, to learn that jugular phlebotomy 

 was at once resorted to as the readiest means of relieving 

 the overcharged vessels of their blood. As a matter of 

 fact, bleeding from the jugular is still advocated by modern 

 authorities. We cannot say, however, that we unhesi- 

 tatingly recommend it. Mechanically, of course, the 

 removal of a large quantity of blood is bound to result 

 in a lowering of the pressure in the vessels. The effect, 

 however, is but transient. Blood removed in this way is 

 again quickly returned to the vessels so far as its fluid 

 matter is concerned, and the pressure, removed for a time, 

 is again as great as before. With the other and more vital 

 constituents of the blood-stream — namely, the corpuscles — 

 restoration is not so rapid. We have, in fact, a weakened 

 state of the system, in which it is probable it will not so 

 successfully combat the adverse conditions the desease may 

 induce. 



With these prefatory remarks, w r e may advise bleeding 

 under certain conditions. The quantity removed must be 

 moderate (7 to 8 pints), and the pulse and other condi- 

 tions must show no signs of weakness or collapse. 



Local bleeding, either from the toe or the coronet, is also 

 advised. In the former situation the sole is thinned down 

 until a sufficient flow is obtained, while at the coronet 

 scarification is the method adopted. Bleeding locally, 

 however, is far less effectual than the jugular operation. 

 Neither must it be forgotten that wounds in these situa- 

 tions, more particularly at the toe, are extremely liable, 

 especially with the existing poisoned state of the blood- 

 current, to take on a septic character. What might possibly 



