ring, while the body is more or less bedewed with sweat. At first
there may be a tendency to diarrhea, or it may appear later as the
result of the medicines used. The urine is high colored, scant in
quantity, and of increased specific gravity, owing to the water being
eliminated by the skin instead of the kidneys. The appetite is impaired,
sometimes entirely lost, but thirst is greatly increased. The affected
feet are hot and dry, and as much as possible are relieved from bearing
weight. Rapping them with a hammer, or compelling the animal to stand
upon one affected member, causes intense pain. The artery at the fetlock
throbs beneath the finger.
_Special symptoms._--Liability to affection varies in the different feet
according to the exciting cause. Any one or more of the feet may become
the subject of this disease, although it appears more often in the fore
feet than in the hind ones. This is due to the difference of the
function, i. e., that the fore feet are the bases of the columns of
support, receiving nearly all the body weight during progression and
consequently most of the concussion, while the hind feet become simply
the fulcra of the levers of progression, and are almost exempt from
concussion.
_One foot._--Injuries and excessive functional performance are the
causes of the disease in only one foot. The general symptoms, as a rule,
are not severe, there being often no loss of appetite and no unusual
thirst, while the pulse, temperature, and respiration remain about
normal. The weight of the body is early thrown upon the opposite foot,
and the affected one is extended, repeatedly raised from the floor, and
then carefully replaced. When made to move forward the lame foot is
either carried in the air while progression is accomplished by hopping
with the healthy one, or else the heel of the first is placed upon the
ground and receives little weight while the sound limb is quickly
advanced. Progression in a straight line is more easy than turning
toward the lame side.
_Both fore feet._--When both fore feet are affected the symptoms are
well marked. The lameness is excessive and the animal almost immovable.
When standing the head hangs low down, or rests upon the manger as a
means of support and to relieve the feet; the fore feet are well
extended so that the weight is thrown upon the heels, where the tissues
are least sensitive, least inflamed, and most capable of relief by free
effusion. The hind feet are b
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