In less favourable cases the purulent discharge continues, and (always a bad sign) becomes more or less chocolate-like in colour, distinctly thin, and stinking.  The diseased process spreads until the ligaments of the joint, both by reason of their infiltration with the inflammatory discharges, and also on account of the ravages made on them by the invading pus, either greatly stretch or altogether rupture.

The joint, after its ligaments have been destroyed in this manner, is loosened, and the bones are now freely movable.  Their manipulation gives to the touch a sickening, grating sound—­in other words, we have crepitus.  This, of course, indicates that the articular cartilages have become greatly eroded by the inflammatory process, and so left what we may term ‘raw’ surfaces of bone to rub together.  When the animal is put to the walk the toe of the foot is elevated, and the extreme mobility of the foot gives one the idea of fracture.  With every step there is a peculiar sucking noise, comparable to that of a foot moving in a boot of water, and putrescent matter is squeezed from every opening each time the foot is put to the ground.  Although we have seen cases even advanced thus far recover, it is questionable whether it is now wise to attempt to prolong life.  Slaughter is far more humane, and, in our opinion, except with a valuable brood animal, more economical.

If the animal is allowed to linger, other symptoms will nearly always present themselves before death occurs.  Whether in slings or not, a careful watch should be kept upon the sound limb.  For some time the patient stands upon it incessantly, but sooner or later it happens that a farther visit show us the animal standing with full weight on the diseased foot, and making painful pawing movements with what before was the sound.  We immediately jump to the conclusion ‘laminitis.’  And so it is, but it is a laminitis brought about by pyaemia.  This is indicated by the swollen and oedematous nature of the lymphatics of the limb.  Plainly enough they indicate the road by which the poison has travelled.  It is in this way:  Pus and putrefactive organisms have gained entrance to the lymphatics of the original diseased limb.  From these they have rapidly gained the blood-stream and set up infection elsewhere.  In this particular instance it is demonstrated by the laminitis and lymphangitis of the previously sound limb.  With the poison thus circulating in the blood-stream, we often also get spots of infection commenced in one or other of the more vital organs—­notably the lungs or the kidneys.  The end of our case is then either a gangrenous pneumonia or complications induced by a condition of widespread pyaemia.

With the animal in slings there are one or two other symptoms that call for attention.  In many cases, especially with animals of a lymphatic and indolent nature, the use made of them is inordinate.  The patient rests so continually in them that alarming swellings commence to make their appearance about the rectum, or in the case of a mare about the vulva.  The animal must then be let down at regular intervals and again raised when rest is obtained.