With regard to the wisdom of the latter proceeding, opinion seems to be divided.  Personally, we hold an open mind concerning it.  This much is certain:  in many cases of laminitis—­those cases which have their origin in overfeeding with an irritating food—­there is already a strong predisposition to enteritis.  The administration of aloes in this case is extremely apt to induce a fatal super-purgation.  Aloes is, again, contra-indicated when the laminitis is a result of excessively long journeys, and the patient is already greatly exhausted.  Neither can it be advocated in the laminitis occurring as a sequel to septic metritis or to pneumonia.

On the other hand, when the disease has occurred as a result of long standing in the stable and an overloaded condition of the bowels, or where one full meal of some constipating food, such as whole wheat, pea or bean meal, wheat or barley meal, has occasioned the attack, then a dose of aloes at the commencement of the treatment is productive of good.

Suitable febrifuges are found in potassium nitrate, potassium chlorate, sodium sulphate, or magnesium sulphate, either of which or a mixture of two or more of them, the animal will readily take in his drinking-water.

The administration of sedatives is also indicated.  In this connection aconite will be found most useful.  More especially in the early stages of the disease, when pain is excessive and the temperature high, will its good effects be noticed.  This also the animal will often take in his drinking-water.  We have been in the habit of so prescribing the B.P. tincture in 1/2-dram doses three times daily.  By its use the temperature is rapidly lowered, the pulse reduced in number and in fulness, and the pain in some instances perceptibly diminished.  With others hypodermic injections of morphia and atropine have given equally satisfactory results.

Needless to say, good nursing is a sine qua non.  During the first stages of the fever a light and easily digested diet should be allowed—­bran-mashes, roots and grass when obtainable, and a carefully regulated supply of water.  The animal should be warmly clothed and the box well ventilated, even to the opening of the doors and windows.  Only in this way is pneumonia as a sequel sometimes prevented.  The patient’s comfort should be attended to in providing him with a suitable bed.  Anything in the shape of long litter should be avoided.  When nothing else is at hand, litter that has already been broken and shortened by previous use is best.  With this the box floor should be thickly covered, and matting of the material prevented by constant turning.  A good bed for the horse with laminitis is peat-moss mixed with short straw.  This, without being dragged into irregular heaps, remains springy and elastic with but little attention.  Better than all, however, especially with good weather, is an open crewyard.  Here the animal has an abundance of fresh air, has a bed that is always soft, and has plenty of room in which to get up and down with some degree of ease.