INFLAMMATORY AFFECTIONS 283 



already indicated in Chapter VI., may run a course slow 

 and insidious from the onset. 



Symptoms. — When the disease arises without previous 

 acute symptoms, the first thing noticeable is an alteration 

 in the gait. The animal begins to go feelingly, especially 

 when first moved out from the stable. Our opinion is asked 

 as to the cause of the lameness, and an inspection is made. 

 With the changes in the form of the hoof as yet wanting, 

 we have nothing to guide us, and other causes for the lame- 

 ness suggest themselves, probably corns. Evidence of these 

 is not forthcoming, and we in all probability withhold 

 our opinion until a later visit. On the second or a sub- 

 sequent call we are perhaps lucky enough to find our 

 patient down. Diagnosis is then rendered easier. Made 

 to rise, the animal stands in the attitude we have described 

 as indicative of laminitis. We have him walked and trotted 

 out. The symptoms of tenderness disappear, and the 

 animal soon goes fairly sound. He is, in fact, workable — 

 that is, by anyone who is careless as to the comfort of his 

 beast. 



When following an acute attack, we have the most 

 marked symptoms of pain and distress, somewhat abating 

 after the second or third week. The walk, however, is still 

 painful, and, for a short time after rising from the ground, 

 even difficult. 



In short, in both cases we have the horse going on his 

 heels, with a walk that is painful, and with symptoms of 

 pain that are most apparent when moved on after a rest. 



Later, the changes in the form of the hoof begin to 

 appear. It seems to have lost its elasticity, and is seen to 

 be dry and chippy, and to have become denuded of its 

 varnish-like outer covering. 



In addition, it is of largely altered shape. The toe, by 

 reason of the animal walking on his heels, and by reason 

 of an increased growth of horn, becomes elevated, so that 

 the front of the wall, instead of forming an obtuse angle 

 with the ground, comes to run very nearly horizontal with 

 it. The horn of the heels, as compared with that of the 



