SPRAINS OF TENDON'S, LIGAMENTS AND MUSCLES. 299 



blood, a condition that precedes and attends inflammatory action 

 in whatever part of the body it is present, an exudation of the 

 fluid constituents of the blood takes place; this fluid, which escapes 

 from the blood vessels must find room somewhere, and in laminitis 

 it occupies the spaces between the sensitive and horny laminae; 

 this exudate or fluid, as it increases in quantity, ultimately presses 

 upon the anterior portion of the os pedis (bone of the foot) and 

 so forces it in a downward direction, at which point the bone 

 presses upon the sole, which as time goes on loses its normal con- 

 cave shape and becomes convex, assuming the characteristic bulg- 

 ing appearance and condition; the pressure which is thus brought 

 to bear upon the sensitive sole interferes with its secretory powers 

 and the horn becomes consequently degenerated and thin, ulti- 

 mately resulting in protrusion of the pedal bone; a case that has 

 gone to such extremes maj- fairly be looked upon as hopeless. 

 Without, however, going to such an extreme, the inflammation 

 by proper treatment may be induced to subside and the exudate 

 which has been thrown out will become partially or entirely re- 

 absorbed; but the most favorable cases and successful cures bear 

 the distinguishing marks of laminitis by reason of an extension 

 of the inflammation to the coronary band, the part where the 

 horn is secreted and grows, something like the quick of the nail, 

 as it is called, in the human subject; this inflammatory process of 

 the coronary band gives rise to that ribbed or ringed condition of 

 the horn frequently observed on the hoofs of horses; we do not 

 wish to imply that all horses that have ringed hoofs have been the 

 subjects of laminitis, but when the rings are very prominent and 

 noticeable there is some reason for suspicion, and a person before 

 purchasing a horse with these marks should thoroughly satisfy 

 himself that the animal is in this, as in all other respects, sound 

 and in good health, and particularly note the condition of the 

 soles, in order to be sure that they are of normal concave shap^. 

 Laminitis owes its origin to several causes, most of which are 

 preventable by the exercise of ordinary care on the part of the 

 owner and stableman; among the various causes are: standing in 

 constrained position for a great length of time on board ship or a 

 railway train; over exertion in hot weather; partaking of large 

 quantities of heating or improper food, such as wheat; drinking 

 cold spring water in large quantities when ov'erheated or much ex- 



