248 VETEKINAEY MEDICINE AND SUEGERY. 



a tub of warm water, and apply poultices for a few days. Allow the 

 horse to lie down as much as possible; if he will not do so of his own ac- 

 cord, throw him gently. The advisability of this is shown by the pulse, 

 after the horse is down, always falling in a most marked manner. 



The diet, if possible, should be grass; or, if grass cannot be obtained, 

 bran mashes. An extra substantial bed of old litter is essential. Na- 

 ture must do the rest. 



In favorable cases, that is, where the inflammation is not very severe, 

 and its effused products are taken up by the aborbents, there will be no 

 structural alteration, and in due course the horse will be sound again, 

 though always more or less liable to recurrence of the disease. 



But in unfavorable cases, there will be an alteration of structure, 

 and the result will be chronic laminitis. 



The alteration of structure caused by the inflammation usually con- 

 sists of a separation between the sensitive and insensitive laminae and is 

 termed chronic laminitis. In consequence of this loosening of attach- 

 ment, the anterior point of the cofiin bone descends and presses on the 

 sole. The sole being pressed upon, also descends and loses its concave 

 shape, and becomes convex and weak. The anterior j)ortion of the 

 crust, having in some measure lost its attachment, becomes weak and 

 bulges out anteriorly. There is a large mass of .imperfectly formed horn 

 at the toe. 



Treatment. — The frog and sole should remain untouched by the 

 knife, and the crust filed down so as to produce a flat foot, bringing 

 the pressure on the sole as well as the crust. Pressure on the frog is 

 also most essential. 



A little cantharides ointment: 



Cantharides § ss. 



Lard 5 vi. 



may be rubbed into the coronet every four or five days, to stimulate in- 

 creased growth of horn. 



Let the animal stand on something soft in his stall — spent tan, straw, 

 etc. 



