INFLAMMATORY AFFECTIONS 269 



the astounding change of apparent absolute recovery. Too 

 well, however, the eye of the experienced veterinary surgeon 

 sees that such is not the case. Even before proceeding to 

 take a record of the other symptoms, he knows that it is 

 but the commencement of the end. Methodically, however, 

 he notes the other conditions. The pulse he finds small 

 and imperceptible, save at the radial. The thermometer 

 registers a subnormal temperature, the extremities are 

 cold, and cold sweats bedew the body. To the same ex- 

 perienced eye the countenance of the animal is almost sug- 

 gestive of what has occurred. The drawn and haggard 

 expression, to which we have previously referred, becomes 

 more marked, and the angles of the lips are drawn back 

 in what has been described by some writers as a ' sardonic ' 

 grin. 



We can best express what the whole look of the animal's 

 countenance indicates to us by saying that it gives us the 

 impression that the animal himself knows that some serious 

 change, and a change fatally inimical to his chances of life, 

 has taken place in his feet. 



It may be that in some odd cases, although it has not 

 yet been our lot to meet with them, gangrene may terminate 

 in the casting off of one or more hoofs. Needless to say, 

 there can still be but one termination to the case. 



((/,) Periostitis and Ostitis. — This complication is referred 

 to by other writers under the term of ' Peditis.' It signifies, 

 of course, that the periosteum and the bone have become 

 invaded by the inflammatory process. It is our opinion 

 that these two conditions, even including an actual arthritis, 

 always exist, even in an attack of laminitis that ends 

 favourably. We do not claim, however, to be able to relate 

 any means, save that of post-mortem examination, by 

 which it may be singled out from the other changes occur- 

 ring in the foot. The high fever and pain occasioned by 

 the inroads of the inflammation into the other sensitive 

 structures serves to effectually mask whatever evidence of 

 it we might otherwise obtain. It may be sometimes only 

 small in degree, but we feel confident that inflammation, at 



