212 THB HORSa. 



ones substituted for the commencement. Subacute laminitis demands 

 the same treatment with laxatives if there is constipation, and the addi- 

 tion of low-heeled shoes. The diuretics may need to be continued for 

 some time and their frequency increased. Regarding acute I,aminitis, 

 what has been called the "American treatment" is so simple and withal 

 so efficient that it is to be remarked other countries have not adopted it. 

 Since the disease is a local one, unquestionably the remedies used should 

 be applied in the immediate neighborhood of the affected parts, or if 

 drugs are administered internally, they should have some specific local- 

 ized action. And such are the claims made for the 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 four ounces of saltpeter in a pint of water, repeated 

 every six hours, is the proper dose, and the laminitis frequently 

 subsides inside of a week's time. These large doses may be contin- 

 ued for a week without danger; never under any circumstances will 

 the kidneys be irritated to excess or other unfavorable effects be 

 produced. 



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

 35*^ to 50" F. (it may be lowered if desired), or if the animal is lying 

 down swabs should be used and wet every half hour with the cold 

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

 directly upon the inflamed tissues by reducing their temperature, 

 thereby increasing their vitality and disease-resisting qualities, and at 

 the same time by toning up the coats of the blood vessels dimin- 

 ishes the supply of blood and limits the exudation. Furthermore, cold 

 has also an anesthetic effect upon the diseased tissues and relieves 

 the pain. 



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 sufficient. 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. Bleed- 

 ing, both general and local, should be guardad against. The shoes 

 should always be early removed and the soles left unpared. 



Paring of the soles presents two objections. First, while it may tem- 

 porarily relieve the pain by relieving pressure, it at the same time 



