429 



and thereby to withstand much more work without danger. And, 

 furthermore, it permits an early detection of an oncoming attack; in 

 any case prevents working after the disease begins and renders subse- 

 quent medication much more effective b}' cutting the process short at 

 the stage of congestion. 



All animals when resting immediately after work should be pro- 

 tected from cold air or draughts. If placed in a stable that is warm 

 and without draught no covering is necessary; under opposite con- 

 ditions blankets should be used until the excitement and exhaustion 

 of the labor performed have entirely passed away. It is still better 

 that all animals coming in warm from work be ' ' cooled out " by slow 

 walking until the perspiration has dried and the circulation and 

 respiration returned to the normal. Animals stoiDped on the road 

 even for a few moments' time should always be i)rotected from rapid 

 change of temperature by appropriate clothing. If it can be avoided 

 horses that are working should never be driven or ridden through a 

 stream or jdooI of water. "Where necessary they should be cooled off 

 before passing through, aud then kept exercising until completely 

 dried. The same rule is to be observed with regard to washing the 

 legs in cold water when the animal is just in from work, for, although 

 it is practiced extensively and usually with imx)unity, occasionally it 

 proves the cause of a most acute attack of this disease. Regarding 

 shoeing as a predisposing cause, unusual changes in the manner of 

 applying the shoe should not be hastily made. 



If a jjlane shoe has been worn, high heels or toes must not be sub- 

 stituted at once, but the change, if necessary, should gradually be 

 made, so that the different tissues may adapt themselves to the change 

 of functional performance they are called upon to bear. If, on the 

 other hand, such changes are imperative, as is sometimes the case, 

 then the work must be so reduced in quantity and qualitj^ that it can 

 not prove excitant of the disease. Laminitis from the effects of pur- 

 gative medicines is a condition which can scarcely be guarded against 

 unless we discard entirely this useful class of medicines. I can not 

 determine from the few cases in which I have seen this unhappy result 

 of a purgative that there are any conditions of the system present 

 that would warn us of danger in this direction. The disease does not 

 seem to have any dependence for inception in such cases upon the 

 size of the purgative, the length of time before i^urgation begins, or 

 the activity aud severity v>ath which the remedy acts. Moderate 

 doses of medicines known to have unusual irritating effects on the 

 alimentary canal should be used only M'hen necessity demands it. 



Experience alone will determine what animals are liable to suffer 

 from this disease through the influence of the different foods. When 

 an attack can with any certainty be ascribed to any iiarticular food it 

 should ever be withheld unless in the smallest quantities. Horses that 

 have never been fed uj)on Indian corn should receive but a little at a 



