LAMENESS IN HORSES. 
489 
Metastasis of inflammation from the lungs to the feet, after in- 
flammation in the former has happened to be severe and is becoming 
protracted, is a way in which laminitis on occasions takes its rise. 
The inflammation is then said “ to fall from the lungs down into 
the feet though it oftener happens that the inflammation “ falls” 
into the joints, producing “rheumatic lameness*.” As soon as the 
metastasis has taken place the lungs become relieved through it; 
nor is the fever which has “ fallen” into the feet of that violent and 
unmanageable character which that is which is an idiopatic affection. 
It is said that the lungs, in their turn, may become affected 
through translation of the inflammation from the feet ; to which I 
would add, that this seems more likely to happen when the lungs 
are already in a state of disease. 
Metastasis from, the bowels to the feet is a more rare circumstance. 
Super-purgation or diarrhoea has ended in fever in the feet, and 
seems more especially likely to do so whenever any check or diver- 
sion is given to the increased or inflammatory action going on in 
the intestines, and stomach, as well, perhaps. “ Catching cold in 
physic,” as it is called, is not at all unlikely to turn into an attack of 
laminitis. Indeed, without any distinct evidence that “ cold” had 
been taken, I have known an attack of laminitis, on more occa- 
sions than one, seize horses just out of their physic, or at the 
time the physic was setting. Colic and enteritis have been 
known so to terminate. And this may account for certain kinds 
of food, such as barley and rye and wheat, being said to have a 
tendency to produce it. 
Metastasis from the brain to the feet is more rare : it has, how- 
ever, been known to take placet. 
Metastasis from the eyes to the feet is a prevalent notion : though 
one, I believe, little confirmed by practice. 
Metastatic Laminitis is a less violent and dangerous disease 
than idiopathic acute laminitis. It commences in a system already 
depressed and worn by disease, and this seems to account for its 
comparative want of severity and danger. When once, however, 
the inflammatory action has betaken itself to the feet, the lungs or 
bowels or brain, as the case may be, become no longer the object 
of solicitude, in consequence of the evident decrease in activity 
the same action has undergone in them. In one point of view, 
therefore, metastasis is favourable. So far as the pulmonary or 
bowel disease is concerned, it may prove the means of saving the 
animal’s life. On the other hand, it is possible, unless the case be 
skilfully managed, that the translated laminitis may, like the idio- 
* Hippopathology, vol. iv, p. 35 et sequent. 
t On the authority of my late father, Mr. John Percivall. Vide Veteri- 
narian for 1829, vol. ii, p. 15. 
VOL. XXIII. 3 U 
