INFLAMMATORY AFFECTIONS 265 
(b) Exudation.—The period of exudation marks the out- 
pouring of the inflammatory fluid. This, even more than 
the hemorrhages attending the stage of congestion, tends 
to destroy the intimacy between the sensitive and the 
horny lamine, leading finally to their complete separation 
at the region of the toe. Fig. 116 illustrates this state of 
affairs after laminitis has existed for a week. The sensi- 
tive and horny lamine are here shown to be distinctly 
separated from each other, a well-marked cavity existing 
between them, which cavity is greatest in extent at the toe 
Fie. 116.—Lonerrupinat Section oF a Foot with Laminitis 
oF Ercut Days’ STANDING. 
The separation between the sensitive structures and the hoof is indicated by a 
dark line. The cavity is filled with exudate. It will be noted that as 
yet there is little change in the position of the os pedis. 
of the os pedis. With the sensitive structures thus de- 
tached from the wall, it is evident that very much that 
formerly held the os pedis in normal position has been 
destroyed. What then happens is that the whole of the 
body-weight is placed upon the sole. Never intended to 
bear the strain thus imposed, it naturally sinks. With 
the sinking is a corresponding ‘dropping’ of the pedal 
bone—in fact, of the whole of the bony column. Seeing 
that the structures above the hoof are still normally 
adherent to the bones, it follows that they must, as the os 
