306 
B. L. CLARK. 
ACUTE LAMINITIS. 
By B. L. Clark, M. D. C., Monticello, Wis. 
A Paper read before the Wisconsin Association of Veterinary Graduates. 
The subject which I have chosen is that of acute laminitis, 
'or inflammation of the sensitive laminae of the foot. I do not 
expect to present anything new, owing to the fact that this dis¬ 
ease has been so thoronghly investigated and discussed in onr 
works on veterinary pathology ; but simply to refresh the subject 
in yonr minds. This disease is quite common among horses, and 
is frequently seen in cattle. It is the most dreaded disease to 
which the horse is liable. It is not confined to the feet alone, 
although its chief seat is there. It has a variety of causes, as 
over-exertion, errors in feeding, drinking cold water when heated, 
standing in a constrained position foV a long time, a sudden chill, or 
indigestion. The last cause, in my opinion, is the most common. 
It frequently arises from other diseases, or, rather, is a complica¬ 
tion of such diseases as pneumonia, enteritis, or bronchitis, where 
the whole surface of the body is affected, as seen in cases where 
the hair of the mane and tail falls out. The tendency of this 
disease is to throw off the hoof, as indicated by the rings on the 
external surface of the hoof wall. It occasionally arises from 
over-exertion and concussion, exemplified in cases where horses 
are run against time, but it is much more frequent where the 
mucous membrane is affected. In cases of concussion the pedal 
bone is involved, and results in ostitis, and sometimes necrosis 
and sloughing of the hoof, terminating in' an agonizing death. 
The symptoms of both forms are almost identical. 
Pathology .—Inflammation of the sensitive foot includes the 
laminae, sole and os pedes, resulting in an exudation, which is 
greatest at the toe, the tissues being more vascular at that part. 
The pain is most agonizing and persistent, owing to the fact 
that the foot is enclosed in an unyielding horny box, the blood¬ 
vessels being engorged and having no chance to swell or ex¬ 
pand. Pressure upon the anterior part of the pedal bone has a 
tendency to force it downward, and separate it from the wall. 
