450 DISEASES OF THE HOKSE. 



tive and somewhat thickened after the laminitis subsides, and a little 

 lameness is present. This lameness persists, and the deposits of new 

 bone may readily be detected. 



X Suppuration, of the sensitive membrane is a somewhat common 

 complication, and even when present in its most limited form is 

 always a serious matter ; but when it becomes extensive, and especially 

 when the suppurative process extends to the periosteum, the results 

 are liable to be fatal. When suppuration occurs the exudation does 

 not appear to be excessive. It is rich in leucocytes and seems to have 

 caused detachment of the sensitive tissues from the horn prior to the 

 formation of pus in some instances; in others the tissues are still 

 attached to the horn, and the suppuration takes place in the deeper 

 tissues. 



Limited suppuration may take place in any part of the sensitive 

 tissues of the foot during laminitis, and may ultimately be reabsorbed 

 instead of being discharged upon the surface, but generally the 

 process begins in the neighborhood of the toe and spreads backward 

 and upward toward the coronet, finally separating the horn from the 

 coronai'y band at the quarters. At the same time it spreads over the 

 sole and eventually the entire hoof is loosened and sloughs away, 

 leaving the tissues beneath entirely unprotected. In other instances — 

 and these are generally the cases not considered unusually severe — ^the 

 suppuration begins at the coronary band. It extends but a short dis- 

 tance into the tissues, yet destroys the patient by separating the hoof 

 from the coronary band, upon which it depends for support and 

 growth. This form of the suppurative process usually begins in 

 front. It is this part of the coronary band that is always most 

 actively aflfected with inflammation, and consequently it is here that 

 impairments first occur. 



Suppuration of the sensitive sole is more common than of the sensi- 

 tive laminae and coronary band. It is present in the majority of cases 

 in which there is a dropping of the coffin bone, and in other instances 

 when the effusion at this point is so great as to arrest the production 

 of horn and uncover the sensitive tissues. Except when the result of 

 injury it begins at the toe and spreads backward, and, if not relieved 

 by opening the sole, escapes at the heel. Suppuration of the sole is 

 much less serious than in other parts of the foot. 



If the acute constitutional symptoms developed from sloughing of 

 the foot do not result in death, a new hoof of very imperfect horn 

 may be developed after a time ; but unless the animal is to be kept for 

 breeding purposes alone the foot will ever be useless for work and 

 death should relieve the suffering. When only the sole sloughs, 

 recovery takes place with proper treatment. 



Peditis. — This is the term that Williams applies to that serious 

 complication of laminitis in which not only the laminae, but the peri- 



