CHAPTER IX 



INFLAMMATOEY AFFECTIONS OF THE KEEATO- 

 GENOUS APPAEATUS 



A. ACUTE. 



Acute Laminitis. 



Definition. — The term ' lamiritis ' is used to indicate a 

 spontaneous and diffuse inflammation of the whole of the 

 sensitive structures of the foot, more particularly the sensi- 

 tive laminae. Usually it occurs in the two front feet, often 

 in all four, and occasionally in the hind alone. 



Causes. — In dealing with the causes of laminitis, we will 

 first dispose of those coming under the heading of traumatic. 

 Correctly speaking, however, lesions of the laminae thus 

 occurring do not present the same symptoms, nor run an 

 identical course with the disease we now purpose describing, 

 and for which we would prefer to entirely reserve the term 

 ' laminitis.' The fact, however, that traumatic causes are 

 detailed in other works on the same subject compels us to 

 give them mention here. 



Strictly traumatic causes giving rise to a limited inflamma- 

 tion of the sensitive laminae are violent blows upon the foot, 

 either purely accidental, or self-inflicted by violent kicking. 



A similar limited laminitis is to be found in the condi- 

 tions we have described under ' Nail-bound and Punctured 

 Foot.' It is met with also in the injuries resulting from 

 tread and overreach, and in the tissue-changes accompany- 

 ing corn. 



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