72 
LAMINITIS. 
LAMINITIS. 
The late Jno. Field’s Account of Laminitis. 
[Taken from Ms Posthumous Veterinary Records .) 
CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS OF LAMINITIS OR FOUNDER. 
This disease may be occasioned either by severe work on 
dry hard roads, or by inflammation of the lungs , fyc., whereby, in 
the former instance, it arises from excessive friction between the 
sensible and horny laminae, while in the latter, from the animal 
constantly standing , an undue and continued stress is laid upon that 
part . The symptoms are, a hard, strong, and frequent pulse, 
the animal expresses great pain, and blood sometimes oozes 
from the coronet, attended with a sinking of the coronary liga- 
ment. If the fore feet are affected, he extends them forward, 
and brings his hind legs under his body, to support the weight. 
If the disease is in the hind legs, he stands on his toes, 
bringing his fore legs to the centre of gravity. This complaint 
is accompanied with great heat round the feet, accelerated 
respiration, and sometimes sweating. 
Should the symptoms continue, there is an effusion of 
coagulated lymph or blood between the sensible and the horny 
laminae, in consequence of which the coffen bone descends 
upon the sensible and horny sole, the sole becomes convex, 
and the front of the hoof is depressed in the centre, or rendered 
more oblique. 
*** To the above, we annex two letters on the subject, 
received in answer to queries sent by us. 
To the Editor of The Veterinarian. 
Dear Sir, — I fear I cannot give you much information on 
ce Laminitis/’ my experience on that disease having not been 
great. It is rather a rare disease in country practice. I only 
saw one case during my apprenticeship, and that was in the 
fore foot of a miller’s horse. The real cause of it I cannot 
say, but most likely it was brought on by over action in the 
feet, the animal being in a plethoric state or overgorged at 
the time. 
I recollect one case, in a half-bred mare, that was put to a 
little extra pace in fetching a physician. This was in both 
fore feet. I cannot say there was pneumonia in this case, 
