274 PUMICED FEET. 



consequence of the acute disorder ; it comes on gra- 

 dually; and is at all times difficult to remove. It 

 comes on insidiously, and is too often not remarked 

 until the disease has terminated in dropping of the 

 coffin-bone, and permanent lameness is established. 

 Tonics, carefully prepared food, warm water to soften 

 the horn, with a long rest, are in this disease the chief 

 measures indicated. 



Laminitis may appear in one or all of the feet. 



Most frequently the two fore feet are attacked ; and 

 the animal then brings his hind legs under him, as 

 much as possible, with the intention of taking the 

 weight from the affected members. When only one 

 foot is attacked, the other is always the seat of poig- 

 nant lameness, and what once was the healthy limb, 

 ultimately becomes the most diseased; because the 

 animal, to spare the lame leg, continually casts his 

 whole weight upon the sound one. The horse with 

 laminitis in one hoof should be destroyed immediately. 

 With all four feet attacked, he may lie down and may 

 recover ; but, when the disease appears in one only, 

 he has no chance of being relieved ; and it is mercy 

 to shorten his sufferings. 



PUMICED FEET. 



The sole is naturally concave or arched ; but too 

 often, under our improper management, it becomes 

 flat ; not unfrequently, it becomes at last globular ; 

 swelling out and presenting a convex surface towards 

 the earth. Heavy horses, bred on marshy land, 

 generally have weak flat feet ; and when put to work 

 upon the road, the battering which the hoof is obliged 



