LAMINITIS, OR POTJNDBK. 



421 



always the case, for often there appears to be no well-defined period 

 of congestion, the disease seemingly commencing at a point and 

 gradually spreading until a large territory is involved in the morbid 

 process. 



Simple congestion. — Those cases of simple congestion of the laminae, 

 which we erroneously call laminitis, are rapidly developed, the symp- 

 toms are but moderately severe, and but one to three days required 

 for recovery. There are no structural changes and but a moderate 

 exudate. This is rapidly reabsorbed, leaving the parts in the same 

 condition as they were previous to the attack. If the congestion has 

 been excessive, a rupture of some of the capillaries will be found, a 

 condition more apt to obtain where the animal is made to continue 

 work after a development of symptoms has begun. 



True, the majority of these last-described cases prove to be the lam- 

 initis in fact, yet the congestion may pass away and the extravasated 

 blood be absorbed without inflammation sufficient to warrant calling 

 it laminitis. The seat of greatest congestion will always be found in 

 the neighborhood of the toe, because of the increased vascularity of 

 that part, and, although at times it is limited to the podophyUous 

 tissue alone, any or all parts of the keratogenous membrane may be 

 affected by the congestion and followed finally by inflammation.' 



Acute. — In the acute form of laminitis the symptoms may all de- 

 velop rapidly, or it may commence by the appearance of a little sore- 

 ness of the feet which in twenty-four or forty-eight hours develops 

 into a well-marked case. This peculiarity of development is due to 

 one of two causes. Either the congestion is general, but takes place 

 slowly, or else it begins in one or more points and gradually spreads 

 throughout the laminae. These acute cases generally run their course 

 in from one or two weeks. Usually a culmination of the symptoms 

 is reached, if the patient is properly treated, in from three to five 

 days; then evidences of recovery are discernible in favorable cases. 

 The lameness improves, the other symptoms gradually subside, and 

 eventually health is regained. It is in these cases that a strong tend- 

 ency to disorganization of a destructive character exists, hence it 

 is we see so many recover imperfectly with marked structural changes 

 permanently remaining. 



Subacute. — Subacute laminitis is most often seen as a termination 

 of the acute form, although it may exist independent of or precede an 

 acute attack. It is characterized by the mildness of its symptoms, 

 slow course, and moderate tissue changes. It may be present a long 

 time before any pathological lesions result other than those found in 

 the acute form, and when these changes do take place they should 

 rather be viewed as complications. 



Chronic. — Chronic laminitis is a term used by many to designate 

 any of the sequelae of the acute and subacute forms of this disease. 



