ACUTE LAMINITIS. 
307 
As a result of the inflammation there is an exudation thrown 
out at this point, which is of a dirty reddish color ; this fills the 
canals and lacunse of the pedal bone, forming a barrier to the 
circulation of the blood, thus hastening the process of necrosis 
and decay. Should the inflammation persist, the exudation 
accumulates at the toe, separating the horny and the sensitive 
laminae. As a result of this the anterior part of the os pedis is 
forced downward, producing a convex condition of the sole, 
while the secreting power of the sole is arrested or prevented, 
and the horny sole becomes weak and spongy, affording very 
little protection to the sensitive parts within. The outer horn 
of the wall, or that secreted by the coronary band, now presents 
a ribbed appearance, as if attempts had been made to cast off 
the hoof. These rings are irregular and run together at the 
anterior part of the hoof. Prof. Williams says that occasionally 
we have suppuration at the coronet and sometimes at the sole, 
detaching the sensitive from the horny sole. 
Laminitis produced by concussion is usually confined to the 
front feet. Many writers state that affections of serous mem¬ 
branes, such as the pleura, frequently terminate by metastasis in 
laminitis. But I am of the opinion that when the sensitive 
laminse become involved during the progress of some other dis¬ 
ease, it is always the mucous membrane that is affected, owing 
to the fact, above mentioned, that as the skin is continuous with 
the mucous membrane, it is also involved, and in this way ex¬ 
tends to the feet. The skin being affected is somewhat con¬ 
gested and will naturally involve all of its appendages. 
The circulation of the feet being restricted within an un¬ 
yielding space, the walls being unable to expand, it produces 
the intense pains by the engorged blood vessels pressing upon 
the nerves. We also have a fair example of their relation in 
cutaneous eruptions from indigestion, catarrh, etc. The irrita¬ 
tion may be very slight, scarcely observable, but the irritation 
of the folds of the sensitive laminse in the foot surrounded by 
its unyielding case causes the acute symptoms. 
Acute laminitis may terminate in resolution of the parts. 
