INFLAMMATION OF THE LAMINAE. 273 



This is an incurable state of the foot. Any attempt 

 to force up the coffin-bone betrays ignorance of 

 anatomy, and of the progress of disease. When the 

 coffin-bone begins to recede from the crust, the hoof 

 follows it to a certain degree ; but its structure limits 

 this, and another process commences. In order to fill 

 up the vacuum, an unnatural quantity of plastic 

 matter is secreted by the sensitive laminae ; the crust 

 thickens, and inclines inward as the coffin-bone re- 

 tires ; it has sometimes been observed more than two 

 inches in thickness. Nature is, as it were, attempting 

 still to maintain the union between the parts. 



What power applied to the sole can force back the 

 coffin-bone, pressed upon and kept down by this 

 thickness of horn ? Or what power can be applied to 

 the external sole without bruising the internal and 

 sensitive one ? Lameness, which no art can relieve, 

 ensues ; it is lasting and incurable. The horse should 

 be destroyed ; but many animals in this state are 

 forced to do slow work ; and, by the whip, compelled 

 to move in agony. 



Lameness also appears in a chronic form, but is 

 always distinguished, no matter in what state it may 

 exist, by the peculiar manner of going which it in- 

 duces. The horse having had inflamed laminse, but 

 with the feet left sensitive by the disease, endeavours 

 to cast all his weight upon the heels ; in order to 

 spare, as much as possible, the wall with which the 

 diseased part is connected. The gait is peculiar, and 

 the toes pointing upwards denote the condition of the 

 animal. 



Chronic, or rather sub-acute laminitis, is never the 

 n 5 



