424 



Tlie laininitic j)rocess also occasionally extends to the covering of 

 the coronet bone, or at least concurrent with and subsequent to lauii- 

 nitis the development of "low ringbone" is seen, and it is apparently 

 dependent upon the disease of the laminae for its exciting cause. 

 The impairment of function and consequent symptoms are much less 

 marked here than in sidebones. The coronet remains hot and sensi- 

 tive and somewhat thickened after the laminitis subsides, and a little 

 lameness is present. This lameness persists and the deposits of new 

 bone may readily be detected. 



Suppuration of the sensitive membrane is a somewhat common 

 complication, and even when present in its most limited form is always 

 a serious matter; but when it becomes extensive, and especially where 

 the suppurative process extends to the lieriosteum, the results are apt 

 to be fatal. When sux5i)uration occurs the exudation does not appear 

 to be excessive, but is rich in leucocj^tes and seems to have caused a 

 detachment of the sensitive tissues from the horn prior to the forma- 

 tion of pus in some instances, while in others the tissues are still 

 attached to the horn and the suppuration takes place in the deeper 

 tissues. 



Limited suppuration may take place in any part of the sensitive 

 tissues of the foot during laminitis, and may ultimately be reabsorbed 

 instead of being discharged upon the surface, but generally the proc- 

 ess begins in the neighborhood of the toe and spreads backward and 

 upward towards the coronet, Avhere it is seen sei^arating the horn from 

 the coronarj^ band at the quarters. At the same time it is spreading 

 over the sole and eventually the entire hoof is loosened and finally 

 sloughs awa3% leaving the tissues beneath entirely unprotected. 



In other instances, and these are generally the cases not considered 

 unusually severe, the suppuration begins at the coronary band. 

 The suppuration extends but a short distance in the tissue, yet serves 

 to destroy the patient by separating tlie hoof from the coronary band 

 upon which it depends for su^iport and growth. In this form of the 

 suppurative iirocess it is usually seen beginning in front, for it is this 

 part of the coronary band that is alwaj'-s most actively affected with 

 inflammation, and consequently it is here that imi)airments first 

 occur. Suppuration of the sensitive sole is more common than of the 

 sensitive lamina? and coronary band. It is iDresent in the majority of 

 cases where there is a dropping of the coffin bone, and in other 

 instances where the effusion at this point is so great as to arrest the 

 X)roduction of horn and uncover the sensitive tissues. Except when 

 the result of injury it begins at the toe and spreads backward, and if 

 not relieved by opening the sole escapes at the heel. Suppuration of the 

 sole is much less serious than where present in other parts of the foot. 



If the acute constitutional symptoms developed from this slough- 

 ing of the foot do not result in death, a new hoof of very imperfect 

 horn may be dcvcloi^cd after a time, but unless the animal is to be 



