2IO THE HORSB. 



pletely dried. The same rule is to be observed with regard to washing 

 the legs in cold water when the animal is just in from work, for, although 

 it- is practiced extensively and usually without damaging results, it often 

 proves the cause of a most acute attack of founder. Regarding shoeing 

 as a predisposing cause, unusual changes in the manner of supplying the 

 shoe should not be hastily made. 



If a plane shoe has been worn, high heels or toes must not be substi- 

 tuted at once, but the change, if necessary, should gradually be made, 

 so that the different tissues may adapt themselves to the change they 

 are called upon to bear. If, on the other hand, such changes are imper- 

 ative, as is sometimes the case, then the work must be reduced in quan- 

 tity and quality that it can not excite the disease. 



Experience alone will determine what animals are liable to suffer 

 from this disease through the influence of the different foods. When 

 an attack can with any certainty be ascribed to any particular food, it 

 should alwaj's be withheld unless in the smallest quantities. Horses 

 that have never been fed upon Indian corn should receive but a 

 little at a time at first, and always mixed with bran, oats, or other 

 food, until it is known that no danger exists. Corn is much more 

 liable to cause laminitis in warm than in cold weather, and for this 

 reason it should always be fed with care during spring and summer 

 months. 



When an animal is excessively lame in one foot the other or opposite 

 member should have the shoe early removed and cold water frequently 

 applied. At the same time the slings should be used if the subject re- 

 mains standing. Horses should under no circumstances be overworked; 

 to guard against this, previous work, nature of roads, state of wfeather, 

 and various other influences must be carefully noted. Watering while 

 warm is a very bad habit, and unless the animal is accustomed to it, it is 

 apt to result in some disorder, ofttimes in laminitis. 



Symptoms. lyaminitis is characterized by a number of symptoms 

 so well marked as scarcely to be misunderstood by the observer. They 

 are nearly constant and only modified by the number of feet affected, 

 the cause which has induced the disease, and the previous condition of 

 the patient. They may be divided into general symptoms, which are 

 ■ shown in all cases of the disease, subject to variations aud special symp- 

 toms, or those which serve to show which feet are affected and the com- 

 plications which may arise. 



GENERAI/. Usually the first symptoms that would indicate the 



