LAMENESS IN HORSES. 
609 
fearfully high, the secretion of horn becomes stopped ; the secreting 
vessels oozing forth in lieu thereof serous fluid or coagulable lymph. 
The effect of this is — as well from the want of the adhesive 
cement of the new horn, as from the interposition between them of 
serum and coagulable lymph, or of pus — disunion and separation of 
the sensitive and horny laminae, and consequent disconnexion, and 
dislocation backward and downward, of the coffin-bone. Such a 
termination as this it is that is to be dreaded in every attack of 
laminitis ; for, once let displacement of the coffin-bone take place, 
and the horse, if not rendered thereby entirely useless, becomes 
certainly valueless for any purpose for which a sound horse is 
required. This it is that renders it of the utmost consequence that 
our treatment of a seizure with acute laminitis should be of that 
prompt and energetic description which is the most likely to check 
or subdue the disease at once ; for if this chance be suffered to go 
by without being taken due advantage of at the moment, our 
sufferer is as surely lost to all likelihood, if not of life, of after 
soundness and serviceability, as though we had from the begin- 
ning left him to his fate or put a pistol to his head. 
The Prognosis of a disease so frequently destructive of life, 
or of that which makes life supportable, as acute laminitis, ought 
to be given with great caution and consideration. Supposing we 
are called in to attend the sufferer from the very beginning of his 
ailments, when asked the question as to his probable fate — which 
we are sure to be — it must be represented by us, that no opinion 
can be ventured thereon in this incipient stage. But should our 
calling in be late — not until symptoms be making their appear- 
ance denotive of an unfavourable termination, such as separation 
of the laminae, sinking of the sole, suppuration, &c.; or should the 
symptoms be raging with unabated violence, and the period for a 
crisis — the third or fourth day — be past ; we may not hesitate to 
pronounce unfavourably of the case. In fact, when the sufferings 
of the patient are extreme, and from every appearance the case 
must terminate in death either from irritation or mortification, or 
in such disorganization of the component parts of the foot as must 
inevitably render the horse a cripple for life, it often becomes an 
act both of humanity and expediency to slaughter or shoot him. 
For even should he, poor creature ! last out all his agony and 
trouble, he survives but to become, for the end of his days, an 
useless, or almost an useless, and consequently unprofitable, 
servant to his master. 
The Treatment of acute Laminitis, undertaken with im- 
pressions on the prescriber’s mind such as have been just de- 
picted, will not lack either promptitude of action or boldness 
and decision of purpose. The patient stands before us loudly 
