INFLAMMATORY AFFECTIONS 269 
the astounding change of apparent absolute recovery. Too 
well, however, the eye of the experienced veterinary surgeon 
sees that such is not the case. Even before proceeding to 
take a record of the other symptoms, he knows that it is 
but the commencement of the end. Methodically, however, 
he notes the other conditions. The pulse he finds small 
and imperceptible, save at the radial. The thermometer 
registers a subnormal temperature, the extremities are 
cold, and cold sweats bedew the body. To the same ex- 
-perienced eye the countenance of the animal is almost sug- 
gestive of what has occurred. The drawn and haggard 
expression, to which we have previously referred, becomes 
more marked, and the angles of the lips are drawn back 
in what has been described by some writers as a ‘sardonic’ 
grin. 
We can best express what the whole look of the animal’s 
countenance indicates to us by saying that it gives us the 
impression that the animal himself knows that some serious 
change, and a change fatally inimical to his chances of life, 
has taken place in his feet. 
It may be that in some odd cases, although it has not 
yet been our lot to meet with them, gangrene may terminate 
in the casting off of one or more hoofs. Needless to say, 
there can still be but one termination to the case. 
(d) Periostitis and Ostitis.—This complication is referred 
to by other writers under the term of ‘ Peditis.’ It signifies, 
of course, that the periosteum and the bone have become 
invaded by the inflammatory process. It is our opinion 
that these two conditions, even including an actual arthritis, 
always exist, even in an attack of laminitis that ends 
favourably. We do not claim, however, to be able to relate 
any means, save that of post-mortem examination, by 
which it may be singled out from the other changes occur- 
ring in the foot. The high fever and pain occasioned by 
the inroads of the inflammation into the other sensitive 
structures serves to effectually mask whatever evidence of 
it we might otherwise obtain. It may be sometimes only 
small in degree, but we feel confident that inflammation, at 
