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INFLAMMATORY AFFECTIONS 283 
already indicated in Chapter VI., may run a course slow 
and insidious from the onset. 
Symptoms.—When the disease arises without previous 
acute symptoms, the first thing noticeable is an alteration 
in the gait. The animal begins to go feelingly, especially 
when first moved out from the stable. Our opinion is asked 
as to the cause of the lameness, and an inspection is made. 
With the changes in the form of the hoof as yet wanting, 
we have nothing to guide us, and other causes for the lame- 
ness suggest themselves, probably corns. Evidence of 
these is not forthcoming, and we in all probability with- 
hold our opinion until a later visit. On the second or a 
subsequent call we are perhaps lucky enough to find our 
patient down. Diagnosis is then rendered easier. Made 
to rise, the animal stands in the attitude we have described 
as indicative of laminitis. We have him walked and trotted 
out. The: symptoms of tenderness disappear, and the 
animal soon goes fairly sound. He is, in fact, workable— 
that is, by anyone who is careless as to the comfort of his 
beast. 
When following an acute attack, we have the most 
marked symptoms of pain and distress, somewhat abating 
after the second or third week. The walk, however, is 
still painful, and, for a short time after rising from the 
ground, even difficult. 
In short, in both cases we have the horse going on his 
heels, with a walk that is painful, and with symptoms of 
pain that are most apparent when moved on after a rest. 
Later, the changes in the form of the hoof begin to 
appear. It seems to have lost its elasticity, and is seen to 
be dry and chippy, and to have become denuded of its 
varnish-like outer covering. 
In addition, it is of largely altered shape. The toe, by 
reason of the animal walking on his heels, and by reason 
of an increased growth of horn, becomes elevated, so that 
the front of the wall, instead of forming an obtuse angle 
with the ground, comes to run very nearly horizontal with 
it. The horn of the heels, as compared with that of the 
