KNKE, FETLOCK, ANKI^B, AND FOOT. 211 



disease is an interference with locomotion produced by congestion of the 

 sensitive membrane. Occasionally the other symptoms are presented 

 first. With the development of the lameness the pulse will be found 

 quicker, full, hard, and striking the finger more strongly; the tempera- 

 ture soon rises several degrees above the normal, reaching sometimes 

 io6° F. , although it generally ranges between 102 J^° and 105" F. The 

 respirations are rapid and panting in character, the nostrils being widely 

 dilated, and the mucous membranes highly colored. The facial expres- 

 sion is anxious and indicates the most acute pain, while the body is 

 more or less covered with sweat. At first there may be a tendency to 

 diarrhea, or it may appear later, particularly as the result of the medi- 

 cines used. The urine is high colored, scant in quantity, and of in- 

 creased specific gravity, owing to the water from the system being elim- 

 inated by the skin instead of the kidneys. The appetite is impaired 

 and sometimes entirely lost, while the thirst is greatly increased. 

 The affected feet are hot and dry to the touch. They are relieved 

 as much as possible from bearing weight. Rapping them with a 

 hammer or compelling the animal to stand upon one affected member 

 causes intense pain, while the artery of the fetlock throbs beneath the 

 finger. 



SPECIAL,. lyiability to affection varies in different feet according to 

 the exciting cause. Any one or more of the feet may become the sub- 

 ject of this disease, although it appears more often in the fore- 

 feet than in the hind ones, a fact owing to the difference of function, 

 i. e., that the fore-feet are the basis of the columns of support, receiving 

 nearly all the body weight during progression and consequently most of 

 the concussion, while the hind-feet at such times become simply the 

 fulcrums of the levers of progression, and are almost exempt from 

 concussion. 



Treatment. In cases of simple passive congestion of the laminae, 

 the body should be warmly clothed and warm drinks given to draw the 

 blood in increased quantity to these parts so as to direct it from the feet; 

 at the same time the feet should be placed in warm water so as to in- 

 crease the return flow of blood. In the course of half an hour the feet 

 may be changed to cold water, which serves as a tonic to all the tissues, 

 and kept there until recovery is completed. If the constitutional symp- 

 toms demand it, diuretics should be given. Half-ounce doses of salt- 

 peter, three times a day in the water, answers the purpose. In cases of 

 active congestion the warm water foot baths should be omitted and cold 



