AND HIS DISEASES. 61 



each to one j pound of t ar, are well mixed, an d applie d with a 

 degree of firm pressu re, a t least every second day , the worst 



cases canjbe got well." 



Moderate work, if it can be done without the foot getting 

 wet, will expedite the cure. 



LAMINITIS, OE ACUTE FOUNDER. 



This consists in inflammation of the little plates, or 

 laminae, by which the hoof is attached to the sensitive foot. 

 From the importance of these laminae, the least injury or 

 disease of them is attended with serious results. 



Laminitis is very apt to occur from overtasking the feet, 

 by pounding them over a hard road, and leaving the animal 

 standing, heated and exhausted, in cold or snow,— frequently 

 also, from overloading the stomach by eating too freely of 

 wheat, oats, or barley, as we often see when a horse gets 

 loose during the night, and gets to the oat-bin, or drinking 

 too freely of cold water when heated and exhausted. Some- 

 times we have seen it occur by metastasis, or the inflam- 

 mation flying from one part and settling in another. Super- 

 purgation will also produce it. 



Symptoms. — It sets in with shivering and uneasiness. 

 He refuses his food ; moves about with the fore-feet, and 

 seems uneasy ; the mouth is hot, and the pulse full and 

 quickened ; soon the pain in the feet becomes evident. He 

 sometimes inclines to lie, points with his muzzle to the 

 feet, which are found hot and tender. 



He advances them in front, resting principally on. the 

 heels, while the hind-feet are well drawn under him. On 

 backing him, he backs with evident reluctance ; when forced 

 back, he drags one foot after the other, evincing consider- 

 able paiu in doing so. When moved forward, he walks on 

 the heels, his movements being slow and difficult. The 



