272 DISEASES OF THE HORSE’S FOOT 
cause of the attack, the complications, and the idiosyncrasies 
of the patient, have all to be taken into account. These the 
veterinarian must be left to judge for himself. 
Treatment.—The treatment of acute laminitis in its 
early stage must be based upon the fact that we have to 
deal with a congested state of the circulatory apparatus 
of the whole of the keratogenous membrane. This fact 
was well enough known to the older veterinarians. It is 
not surprising, therefore, to learn that jugular phlebotomy 
was at once resorted to as the readiest means of relieving 
the overcharged vessels of their blood. As a matter of fact, 
bleeding from the jugular is still advocated by modern 
authorities. We cannot say, however, that we unhesi- 
tatingly recommend it. Mechanically, of course, the 
removal of a large quantity of blood is bound to result 
in a lowering of the pressure in the vessels. The effect, 
however, is but transient. Blood removed in this way is 
again quickly returned to the vessels so far as its fluid 
matter is concerned, and the pressure, removed for a time, 
is again as great as before. With the other and more vital 
constituents of the blood-stream—namely, the corpuscles— 
restoration is not so rapid. We have, in fact, a weakened 
state of the system, in which it is probable it will not so 
successfully combat the adverse conditions the disease may 
induce. 
With these prefatory remarks, we may advise bleeding 
under certain conditions. The quantity removed must be 
moderate (7 to 8 pints), and the pulse and other conditions 
must show no signs of weakness or collapse. 
Local bleeding, either from the toe or the coronet, is also 
advised. In the former situation the sole is thinned down 
until a sufficient flow is obtained, while at the coronet 
scarification is the method adopted. Bleeding locally, 
however, is far less effectual than the jugular operation. 
Neither must it be forgotten that wounds in these situa- 
tions, more particularly at the toe, are extremely liable, 
especially with the existing poisoned state of the blood- 
current, to take on a septic character. What might possibly 
