142 
HEPORTS MADE TO THE 
leave also to propose, that his Memoir shall be honourably depo¬ 
sited among the archives of the Royal Academy of Medicine*. 
Memoir II. 
As to the second Memoir of M. de Nanzio, on a new method 
of curing Laminitis, or Acute Founder in the Horse, we have not 
submitted this to the test of experiment. We shall have the 
honour of laying before you the motives which induced us to 
pursue a method of examination so contrary to that which we 
adopted with regard to the first memoir, and we trust that you 
will approve of our determination. 
In order to appreciate the value of the treatment proposed by 
M.de Nanzio, it is indispensable to remind you, in as few words 
as possible, what is the nature of the affection recognized under 
the terms founder or laminitis. 
This malady, which has its seat in the reticular tissue which 
envelopes the last phalange of the foot—the coffin-bone—consists 
primitively in a congestion of blood, which is soon followed by 
the most intense inflammation. This reticular tissue, which is 
also called le tissue podophyleux (the sensible laminae), receives 
a great number of bloodvessels and nerves, and, consequently, 
possesses a very high degree of sensibility. Contained in a 
horny box, little elastic, when laminitis appears this reticular 
substance finds itself compressed on every side, and can only, 
very incompletely, enlarge itself. The most violent pain is the 
consequence of this organic construction of the parts ; and soon 
all the phenomena of inflammation by strangulation exhibit 
themselves. 
If, by the skilful use of the most active remedies, we are not 
able to arrest the progress of the evil, the inflammation speedily 
leads to a disunion of the reticular and horny tissues. An ab¬ 
normal spongy production then developes itself between the bone 
of the foot and the anterior part of the hoof, forces the coffin-bone 
backwards, changes its direction, and places its tranchant border 
in relation with the vascular tissue of the inferior surface of the 
foot. From this moment percussion becomes exceedingly pain¬ 
ful ; the horse walks with great difficulty, going on his toes ; and 
can no longer render good service to his owner, especially in 
the paved streets. 
In some cases, few indeed in number, the disease assumes a still 
more aggravated form ; one or more of the hoofs drop off, and 
the horse becomes totally useless. 
* These propositions were adopted, and it was likewise determined that 
this Memoir should be inserted in one of the first fasciculi of the proceed¬ 
ings of the Academy. 
