ACUTE LAMINITIS. 371 
tially removed. All this must be done very quietly—not a word being 
spoken—and all operation suspended at the appearance of the smallest 
alarm. The man at the head must not for an instant quit his post. 
The foot being released from the water, a sharp-pointed knife is to be 
employed and the horn cut, so as to free every nail, till the shoe drops 
off; but the iron should not be allowed to clatter on the ground. 
This method is infinitely better than the common practice of taking 
off the horse’s shoe. The smith removes the 
shoe by a wrench, using his pliers for the pur- 
pose of gaining extra power. No doubt the 
metal had much better remain on than be thus 
rudely displaced. But, in removing the shoe 
from a softened foot, no smith is necessary, and 
no smith should be employed: the veterinary 
THE MANN OR IN WHICIl THE 
NAILS, WHICH FASTEN ON 
+ i ils: THE SHOE, ARE TO BE RE- 
surgeon should himself cut out the nails; and Fea eee tine) aoa aetS 
no matter if an hour or two be occupied over EDD UEENG ACUTE Ava OE 
NITIS. 
each foot. In laminitis there must be no hurry. 
Before the shoes are removed, half a drachm of belladonna and fif- 
teen grains of digitalis should be placed in the horse’s mouth. Both 
drugs should be gently introduced, not as a draught or a ball, but in 
substance, or in the smallest possible bulk. These medicines should be 
repeated every half hour, till the breathing is easier and the pulse some- 
what altered in character. Then some additional weight may be added 
to the slings; and, by taking advantage of similar opportunities, the 
animal may be eventually lifted almost off the ground without display- 
ing any inclination to resist. 
When the horse is in this position, open the jugular vein with a lan- 
cet, making the least possible flurry. Abstract one quart of blood, 
THE SYRINGE TO BE EMPLOYED TO INJECT BLOOD-WARM WATER INTO THE VEINS DURING ACUTE LAMINITIS. 
THE MARK ON THE ROD DENOTES HOW FAR THE HANDLE IS TO BE PUSHED DOWN. (See Enteritis, p.170.) 
which may be obtained with the greatest ease. Have ready a quart 
syringe filled with water; inject one pint into the orifice whence two 
pints of blood have been abstracted. The effect will be produced in a 
few minutes. Copious purgation and perspiration will ensue, and the 
fever will be greatly abated. Clothe the horse well up. Place before 
him a pail of thin gruel with a bundle of green-meat, and enough has 
been done for one day. But mind and leave two men to watch in the 
stable throughout the first three nights. 
