INFLAMMATORY AFFECTIONS 259 
feeding, combined with only that amount of work which 
the horse, if ordinarily fed, would be easily able to perform. 
An excellent example of this is the laminitis occurring in 
the Shire stallion when commencing his rounds of service 
in the spring and early summer. At this season these 
animals are constantly supplied with a more than sufficient 
supply of a highly stimulating and nutritious diet. In this 
case the blood is already in that state in which it is pre- 
disposed to the disease. Add to this the unwonted exercise 
—for during all the winter the animals are idle—and con- 
gestion of the venous apparatus of the extremities is not to 
be wondered at. 
Passing from these, the more common, we may consider 
other and less frequent causes of the disease. Congestion 
of the laminal blood-vessels and consequent laminitis occurs 
when animals are made to maintain a standing position 
for prolonged periods, as, for instance, when making sea 
voyages. A long and painful disease of one foot, neces- 
sitating the whole of the weight being borne by the other, 
ends often in laminitis of the second member. It may 
thus occur as a sequel to quittor, complicated sand-crack, 
suppurating corn, and punctured wounds of the feet. 
Laminitis has also been known to occur as a result of 
septic infection of the blood-stream consequent on the 
operation of castration. (See recorded case, No. 2, p. 281.) 
A sudden lowering of the surface circulation at a time 
when the animal is excessively perspiring is also said to 
favour an attack, as also is the giving to drink of cold water 
to an animal just in from a long and tiring journey. Also, 
according to Zundel, ‘the influence of the season cannot 
be denied, and it is during the summer months that 
laminitis is more frequent, while it is rare in winter, as 
well as in the spring and autumn.’ 
Further, laminitis has been described as occurring when 
the animal is at grass, and when all causes—at any rate, 
active ones—have appeared to be absent. (See reported 
case, No. 8, p. 282.) 
Regarding heredity, we may safely say that, as a cause 
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