417 



warm is a pernicious habit, and unless tbe animal is accustomed to it 

 is apt to result in some disorder, ofttiraes in laminitis. 



Curative measures. — In cases of simple passive congestion of tbelam- 

 insB, tbe bod^' sbould be warmly clotbed and warm drinks given to 

 draw tbe blood in increased quantity to tbese parts so as to direct it 

 from tbe feet ; at tbe same tin o tbe feet sbould be placed in warm water 

 so as to increase tbe return flow of blood. In tbe course of balf an bour 

 tbe feet may be cbanged to cold water, wbicb serves as a tonic to all tbe 

 tissues, and kept tbere until recovery is completed. If tbe constitutional 

 symptoms demand it, diuretics sbould be given. Half-ounce doses of 

 saltpeter, three times a day in the water, answers tbe purpose. In cases 

 of active congestion tbe warm foot baths sbould be omitted and cold ones 

 substituted from tbe commencement. Subacute laminitis demands tbe 

 same treatment with laxatives if there is constipation, and tbeaddition of 

 low-heeled shoes. The diuretics may need to be continued for some lime 

 and their frequency increased. Regarding acute Laminitis, what baa 

 been called tbe "American treatment " is so simple and withal so efficient 

 that it is to be remarked other countries have never adopted it. Since 

 the disease is a local one, unquestionably tbe remedies used should be 

 applied in the immediate neighborhood of tbe affected parts, or if drugs 

 are administered internally, they sbould have some specific localized 

 action. And such are tbe claims made for tbe above-named method of 

 treatment. It consists solely in the exhibition of large doses of nitrate of 

 potash and the continued application to the feet and ankles of cold water. 



Three to 4 ounces of saltpeter in a pint of water, repeated every six 

 hours, is th» proper dose, and tbe laminitis frequently subsides inside of 

 a week's time. These large doses ma^' be continued for a week without 

 .danger ; never under any circumstances have I seen the kidneys irri- 

 tated to excess or other unfavorable effects produced. 



Tbe feet should either be kept in a tub of water at a temperature of 

 450 to SO^'Fabr. (it may be lowered if desired), or if the animal is lying 

 down swabs sbould be used and wet every balf hour with the cold 

 water. The water not only keeps tbe horn soft and moist, but acts 

 directly upon the inflamed tissues by reducing their temi^erature, thereby 

 increasing their vitality and disease-resisting qualities, and at the same 

 time by toning up the coats of the blood vessels diminishes tbe supply 

 of blood and limits the exudation. Furthermore, cold has also an anes- 

 thetic eflect uj)on tbe diseased tissues and relieves tbe jiain. 



Aconite may be given in conjunction with niter where the heart is 

 greatly excited and beating strongly. Ten -drop doses repeated every 

 two hours for twenty-four hours is sutticient. The practice of giving 

 cathartics is dangerous, for it may excite superpurgation. Usually the 

 niter has sufficient effect upon the constipation to relieve it, yet if it should 

 prove obstinate laxatives may be carefully given. Bleeding, both gen- 

 eral and local, sbould be guarded against. The shoes should always be 

 early removed and tbe soles left unpared. 

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