Podology's revision

Abstract

In a preceding article (Revisão da Podologia) we demonstrated that as a result of large blood supply to the chorium of the hoof, blood pressure was very low in the terminal arch of the digital arteries. Every important lessening of this supply to the thorium, as that caused by venose stagnation (animal standing a long time upon one foot), vaso paralysis (long walks), vaso constriction (fever, moral shock, general reflex after indigestion, or infection of the uterus), produces elevated pressure in the digital anastomosis. This is laminitis. The higher pressure is in the center of the terminal arch. All the colaterals of this suffer important alteration in connection with their circulation, the wider ones permit a very quick passage of the blood with anemy around them, congestion or hemorrhage at their extremities. Consequently, the third phalange is rather damaged; in the forepart of the hoof occurs keraphylocele (extranumerous corneia), or hemorrhage. In the hindpart of the keralogenous chorium where arteries are very narrow, pressure increases considerably and causes hypertrophy. In the forepart, the enemy produces atrophy of the hoof; this becomes very thin and shows transversal furrows. The increased growth of the hoof in its hindpart and its lessened nutrition in the forepart of the sole carries on rotation of the third phalange. These lesions are developed in chronic laminitis. In acute laminitis, only disturbances of circulation are to be noticed. The treatment is carried out by every means possible to prevent the causes of the disease or to reestablish normal blood pressure as general bloodletting, cold bath for the hoofs, walking unshod animal on grass, diet, laxatives and deep incision (furrow) in the hindpart of the chorium to prevent accumulation of blood.