surmise, and it is unimportant.  At any rate, when alum is administered, the onslaught of the disease is promptly stopped.  Irreparable damage may already have been done if the case is a neglected one, but whether administered early or late in acute attacks, the progress of the disease is stopped immediately.

The same authority may be profitably quoted in the matter of handling all cases wherein the revulsive effect of agents which diminish vascular tension are chiefly indicated or necessary as adjuvants.  In this connection, Campbell says: 

The early and vigorous administration of aconitin in laminitis to its full physiological effect, is more logical.  Assuming that laminitis is due to absorption of harmful products from the intestinal tract permitted through the deranged functioning of the organs of digestion, or assuming that it is due to an extension of the inflammation from the mucosa to the sensitive lamina, or that it is a reflex from a sudden chilling of the skin, we have in any of these conditions a disturbed circulation, and aconitin is the first and foremost of circulation “equalizers.”  Furthermore, in laminitis there is an elevation of the temperature, an almost invariable indication for aconitin.  A speedy return of the temperature to normal, a very marked diminution of the pain and improved conditions generally, appear coincident with the symptoms of full physiological effect of aconitin when given in cases of laminitis, which constitutes assuredly an important part of its treatment.

[Illustration:  Fig. 35—­Inferior (convex) surface of Cochran shoe.]

Where lameness is not great as in cases wherein no marked structural change of the foot has occurred, proper shoeing is very beneficial.  By keeping the heels as low as possible and shoeing without heel calks a more comfortable position is made possible.  Thin rubber pads which do not elevate the heel are of service in diminishing concussion.

Dr. David W. Cochran of New York City has attained unusual success in cases of chronic laminitis with dropped sole by the use of a specially designed shoe.

[Illustration:  Fig. 36—­Superior surface, showing concavity or bowl, as formed by the toe and branches of the shoe, as designed by Dr. David W. Cochran.]

Cochran claims that, not only are horses with dropped soles that would otherwise have to be put off the streets enabled to do a fair amount of work by means of this shoe, but that continually wearing it, meanwhile keeping the convexity of the front of the hoof rasped thin, in time brings about a marked improvement, and that after some months or years of use the animals are able to work with ordinary rubber-pad shoes, provided they are arranged to facilitate breaking over.

From having been successfully used on some race horses of high value, the Cochran shoe has attained considerable notoriety and is being used by a number of practitioners.  A disadvantage, however, arises from the fact that few horseshoers other than Doctor Cochran seem able to make the shoe, the peculiar shape of which offers considerable difficulty in forging.  Concerning the application of the shoe Cochran[32] says: