2 LAMENESS IN HORSES. 
state of foot alone, it is, either actually present or impending, 
which properly constitutes pumice foot Flat feet, nay, even 
convex and fleshy feet, do not of themselves amount to pumice, 
but, on the contrary, may exist independently of it. They 
may be, and are, dependent upon altered states of the hoof alone ; 
whereas pumice foot consists in disorganization of the interior 
economy of the foot; in altered structure and relative situation 
of the parts within the hoof, and in partial escape of them. 
Pumice Sole can have but one Origin. — Its existence 
is demonstrative proof either of the presence or of the pre-exist- 
ence of laminitis, in the acute or sub-acute form. Those dove- 
tailed and intimate bonds of union between the sensitive and 
horny laminae which hardly any amount of mechanical force 
can, in situ , rend asunder, gradually loose their hold under the 
action of inflammation, and let the coffin-bone down upon the 
horny sole. This, as we have seen, may result either from 
acute or sub-acute laminitis, but with these notable differences : — 
That, whereas under acute inflammation pumice foot is rapid, 
sometimes sudden, always decided in its occurrence ; under sub- 
acute inflammation its approach is tardy and stealthy, and for 
some time doubtful and indeterminable. Indeed, in the latter 
it often happens that the sinking of the sole is the first, intima- 
tion we obtain of the presence of the disease. The horse may 
have been observed to step short or gingerly, compared to his 
usual style of going, and this is succeeded by tenderness of tread 
to that degree that continuance at work becomes impossible, 
under which circumstance we are called to examine his feet, and 
to the surprise, probably, of the owner, find the soles either actu- 
ally sunk or shewing unmistakeable signs of sinking. Pumice 
sole resulting from acute laminitis is, as we have seen, though 
at all times a lamentable affair, a more complicated and serious 
one still, from its so frequently having suppuration of the foot 
as an accompaniment ; and when this proves to be the case, all 
prospect of remedy may be said to be at an end. It is not so, 
however, in the case wherein pumice foot follows a sub-acute or 
low kind of inflammation. Here, there is not the tendency to 
suppuration, but rather to adhesive action ; and this it is that 
on occasions invites us to take the case under treatment ; and 
now and then we succeed in restoring the integrity of the 
breach and soundness of the sole. But this, I am reluctantly 
forced to add, is but a rare issue compared with the states of 
pumice sole which defy our art at effecting such restoration of 
them as will render the feet again useful for work. 
The Treatment of Pumice Sole — when the case happens 
to be of such a nature as to inspire us with hope through judi- 
cious and careful management of it — obviously presents to us 
