430 



time at first, and alwaj-.s mixed with bran, oats, oi' other food, nntil it 

 lias been determined tliat no danger exists. Corn is much more liable 

 to cause laminitis in warm than in cold weather, and for this reason 

 it should alwaj^s be fed with care during spring and summer months. 



AVhen an animal is excessively lame in one foot the other or oppo- 

 site member should have the shoe esu'ly removed and cold water fre- 

 quently applied. At the same time the slings should be used if the 

 subject remains standing. Horses should under no circumstances be 

 overworked; to guard against this, previous work, nature of roads, 

 state of weather, and various other influences must be carefull3=^ 

 noted. Watering while warm is a pernicious habit, and unless the 

 animal is accustomed to it is apt to result in some disorder, ofttimes 

 in laminitis. 



Curative measures. — In cases of simple passive congestion of the 

 lamin?e the body should be warmly clothed and warm drinks given to 

 draw the blood in increased quantity" to these parts so as to direct it 

 from the feet ; at the same time the feet should be placed in warm water 

 so as to increase the return flow of blood. In the course of half an 

 hour the feet may be changed to cold water, which .serves as a tonic 

 to all the tissues, and kept there until recovery is completed. If the 

 constitutional symi)toms demand it, diuretics should be given. Half- 

 ounce doses of saltpeter, three times a day in the water, answers the 

 l)urpose. In cases of active congestion the warm foot baths should be 

 omitted and cold ones substituted from the commencement. Subacute 

 laminitis demands the same treatment with laxatives if there is con- 

 stipation, and the addition of low-heeled shoes. The diuretics may 

 need to be continued for some time and their frequency increased. 

 Regarding acute laminitis, what has been called the ' 'American treat- 

 ment " is so simj^le and withal so efficient that it is to be remarked 

 other countries have never adopted it. Since the disease is a local 

 one, unquestionably the remedies used should be ap]3lied in the imme- 

 diate neighborhood of the alfeeted parts, or if drugs are administered 

 internally, they should have some specific localized action. And such 

 are the claims made for the above-named method of treatment. It 

 consists solely in the exhibition of large doses of nitrate of potash and 

 the continued application to the feet and ankles of cold water. 



Three to 4 ounces of saltiDeter in a pint of water, repeated every six 

 hours, is the proper dose, and the laminitis frequently subsides inside 

 of a week's time. These large doses may be continued for a week 

 without danger; never under an}' circumstances have I seen the kid- 

 neys irritated to excess or other unfavorable effects prpduced. 



The feet should either be kept in a tub of water at a temperature 

 of 45? to 50° Fahr. (it maj' be lowered if desired), or if the animal is 

 lying down swabs should be used and wet every half hour with the 

 cold water. The water not only keeps the horn soft and moist, but 

 acts directly upon the inflamed tissues by reducing their temperature. 



