Complications.—­In a moderate case, carefully treated, laminitis terminates at the end of three or four days in resolution.  The general symptoms of fever gradually subside, the appetite returns, and the walk becomes easier.  Cases thus terminating fortunately leave behind them no change of serious importance, either in the sensitive tissues or in the horny envelope.  Should resolution, however, be longer delayed, then the case, although eventually terminating successfully so far as soundness in gait is concerned, leaves more or less evidence behind in the shape of rings about the wall and alterations in the build of the sole.

When the happy ending of rapid resolution is denied us, then, in addition to the condition we have described as suppuration, we may meet with one or other of the following complications: 

(a) Metastatic Pneumonia.—­This complication is not uncommon, and, when occurring, more often than not ends fatally.  It may be accounted for indirectly by the greater work the lungs are called upon to perform in carrying out the increased number of respirations occasioned by the general fever and pain, and directly by the poisonous materials circulating in the blood-stream.

(b) Metastatic Colic.—­This may be either a subacute obstruction of the bowel or an enteritis accompanied by an offensive purge.

A striking case of the former is related in the Veterinary Journal (vol. xvi., p. 180) by H. Thompson, of Aspatria.  Here no evacuation of the bowels occurred for three days, and the pains of laminitis were added to by the usual pains of intestinal obstruction.

The colic of enteritis is in some cases caused by the nature of the food, giving rise to laminitis.  In our opinion, however, it is more often occasioned by the drastic action of the aloes nearly always resorted to in the treatment of the disorder.  As does the pneumonia, the enteritis thus brought about nearly always has a fatal termination.

(c) Gangrene of the Structures within the Hoof.—­This complication is the one most to be dreaded.  It occurs as a result of the great pressure exerted by an excessive exudation, and doubtless affects first the laminae and softer structures.  Once commenced, however, it rapidly extends to death of the other structures (ligament, tendon, and even bone), and gives a fatal ending to the case.

That gangrene of the tissues ("mortification” as our older writers called it) has occurred is soon made evident to the veterinarian by the symptoms shown by the patient.  The agonizingly acute pains suddenly subside, the feet are placed firmly and squarely to the ground, and the animal walks with ease.  Perhaps but the night before the patient is seen racked with excruciating pain; the morning sees the astounding change of apparent absolute recovery.  Too well, however, the eye of the experienced veterinary surgeon sees that such is not the case.  Even before proceeding