226 VETERINARY STUDIES 



three or even four, ounces of saltpeter also may be given, dis- 

 solved in drinking water, or as a drench in a pint of water, three 

 times daily. Large doses of alum often give especially good 

 results, particularly in cases where the foot trouble follows a 

 digestive disturbance. The alum is administered in 2-ounce 

 doses every two hours, each dose dissolved in one quart of water 

 and continued if necessary until a limit of six or eight doses 

 have been given. During this treatment little water is allowed. 



Ordinarily the shoes should be removed and the toe, if long, 

 shortened ; but the sole should not be thinned or otherwise inter- 

 fered with. If the horse is compelled to stand he may do so 

 more comfortably with shoes that are rounded, high in the 

 center and thin at toe and heels. If the pain is extreme, and 

 not eased by soft bedding and continuous application of cold 

 water, then something should be given to relieve it. If an acute 

 case can be induced to lie down, great relief and rapid improve- 

 ment in respiration, pulse, and pain are soon noted. 



Prevention. — Intelligent care will prevent many ordinary 

 cases of laminitis. Accustom horses to markedly changed con- 

 ditions gradually. This applies especially in case of fat and 

 idle horses put to work and to country horses put on city pave- 

 ment. Keep a heated horse out of cold winds and cold water. 

 Avoid overfeeding and overdriving, and feed a hot horse or 

 tired horse very cautiously. 



