=Diagnosis.= Congestion of the sole, the early stage of infectious rheumatism and osseous cachexia may, at certain periods of their development, be confused with laminitis; but the history and the method of development of the above-mentioned diseases always allow of easy differentiation. It should, however, be added that, in certain exceptional conditions (suppurating echinococosis, producing chronic intoxication, tumours of the liver, and tumours of the pericardium and mediastinum), symptoms may be shown that suggest the existence of laminitis, although it is not really present. In these cases pain may possibly be felt in the bones of the extremities. =The prognosis= is usually favourable, but necessarily depends on the intensity of the disease. Fat stock always suffer severely. =The treatment= varies in no important particular from that prescribed for the horse, and is usually followed by rapid improvement. The chief indications are free bleeding from the jugular, the application of a mustard plaster over the chest, and the administration of a smart purgative (1 to 2 lbs. of sulphate of soda, according to the size of the animal) at first, followed by laxatives. This treatment may be completed by giving salicylate of soda _per os_ in doses of 5 to 8 drams, or arecoline in subcutaneous injection, 1 to 1½ grains. Local treatment consists in cold affusions or poultices to the feet. Failing cold baths, clay plasters applied to the feet are useful. To ensure success all these methods should be utilised simultaneously. In cases of separation of the claw, antiseptic dressings, with a thick pad of tow placed under the sole, become necessary. Chronic laminitis may perhaps occur in the ox as in the horse, but, as a rule, oxen are slaughtered before the disease can assume this form. In dealing with fat, or even with fairly well-nourished, oxen it would clearly be more economical to slaughter early, and so prevent wasting and the resulting loss from disease. SAND CRACK. Sand crack—that is to say, the occurrence of vertical fissures in the wall of the claw—is not absolutely rare in bovines. It is commonest in working oxen drawing heavy loads, though in very exceptional cases it affects animals which have never worked. (Moussu describes one case in a young ox where four sand cracks existed simultaneously.) It may also result from injuries to the coronet. In contrast to the case of the horse, and owing to the different conditions under which the ox performs its work, the disease is commoner in front than in hind feet. In drawing, the ox’s front limbs play the principal part, and the animal pivots, so to speak, on the claws of the front limbs.