DISEASES OF THE FETLOCK, ANKLE, AND FOOT. 455 
Unusual changes in the manner of applying the shoes should not be 
hastily made. Ifa 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 
receive 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 summer 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. 
Curative measures.—In cases of simple congestion of the laminz 
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 
