THE HORSE’S FOOT. 
425 
etc. Artificial varieties of fodder also predispose to founder, 
though less often ; even oats, when given in excess, may produce 
it (Solleysel, Blind), and especially if new oats (Hertwig). 
The influence of seasons cannot he denied, and it is during the 
summer months that laminitis is more frequent, while it is rare in 
winter, as well as in spring and fall. It is to the warm climates 
of Spain and Egypt that Bodet attributed in great part the fre¬ 
quency of the founder observed in the army horses engaged in 
campaigning in those countries. It lias been also attributed to the 
sudden checking of the perspiration, and cutaneous chills when 
the animals are sweating ; a cold bath or the drinking of cold 
water at that moment having also often been considered as 
occasional causes. 
The work of the horse greatly influences the development of 
laminitis. It is more frequent in those which are driven at great 
speed than in those which work while walking, and especially 
in whose frame an excess of strength is required, and particularly 
those which labor on rough and stony ground. It is almost inevit¬ 
able if the animal is well fed and if he is unaccustomed to that 
kind of work and not trained for it, and most especially if it is dur¬ 
ing warm weather. This explains why the disease was so fre¬ 
quent amongst post, diligence and coach horses, especially during 
the period preceding the establishment of railroads, when the ex¬ 
penditure of strength exacted from these unfortunate animals 
reached the last limits of possibility. More recently, again, dur¬ 
ing the war of 1870-71, when railroad traveling was more or less 
impeded, laminitis became more common amongst horses from 
which an excess of muscular effort was required. It is a frequent 
and very serious accident among English race horses (liering). 
Laminitis in oxen is due almost exclusively to the fatigue of 
long journeys and to the repeated frictions of the unshod feet 
upon the ground. It was very common before the era of rail¬ 
roads in animals brought to markets. 
But prolonged rest and inaction also predispose to founder. 
The disease is frequent in horses making sea voyages. It is not 
rare to see horses become foundered when they are obliged to 
stand up during several daj^s in consequence of injuries to the 
extremities, or other pathological conditions requiring them to be 
