DISEASES OP THE PETLOOK, ANKLE, AND FOOT. 455 



Unusual changes in the manner of applying the shoes should not be 

 hastily made. If a plane shoe has been worn, high heels or toes must 

 not be substituted at once; but the change, if necessary, should 

 gradually be made, so that the different tissues may adapt themselves 

 to the altered conditions. If radical changes are imperative, as is 

 sometimes the case, the work must be so reduced in quantity and 

 quality that it can not excite the disease. 



Laminitis from the effects of purgatives can scarcely be guarded 

 against. I can not determine from the cases in which I have seen this 

 result that there are any conditions present that would warn us of 

 danger. The trouble does not seem to depend upon the size of the 

 purgative, the length of time before purgation begins, or the activity 

 and severity with which the remedy acts. Medicines known to have 

 unusually irritating effects on the alimentary canal should be used 

 only when necessity demands it, and then in moderate doses. 



Experience alone will determine what animals are liable to suffer 

 from this diesase through the use of feeds. When an attack can be 

 ascribed to any particular feed it should be withheld, unless in small 

 quantities. Horses that have never been fed upon Indian corn should 

 i-eceive but a little of it at a time, mixed with bran, oats, or other 

 feed, until it has been determined that no danger exists. Corn is less 

 safe in warm than in cold weather, and for this reason it should 

 always be fed with caution during spring and smnmer months. 



When an animal is excessively lame in one foot the shoe of the 

 opposite member should be removed, and cold water frequently ap- 

 plied to the well foot. At the same time, if the subject remains 

 standing, the slings should be used. Horses should under no circum- 

 stances be overworked; to guard against this, previous work, nature 

 of roads, state of weather, and various other influences must be care- 

 fully considered. Watering while warm is a pernicious habit, and, 

 unless the animal is accustomed to it, is liable to result in some dis- 

 order, ofttimes in laminitis. 



CuraMve measures. — In cases of simple congestion of the laminae 

 the body should be warmly clothed and warm drinks administered. 

 The feet should be placed in a warm bath to increase the return flow 

 of blood. In course of an hour the feet may be changed to cold 

 water and kept there until recovery is completed. If the constitu- 

 tional symptoms demand it, diuretics should be given. Half -ounce 

 doses of saltpeter three times a day in the water answer the purpose. 

 In cases of active congestion the warm footbaths should be omitted 

 and cold ones used from the commencement. Subacute laminitis 

 demands the same treatment, with laxatives if there is constipation, 

 and the addition of low-heeled shoes. The diuretics may need to be 

 continued for some time and their frequency increased. Regarding 

 acute laminitis, what has been called the "American treatment " is 



