CHAPTER 4. 



Diseases of the Heart. 



Pericarditis— Rupture of the Heart. 



PERICARDITIS. 



THIS is an inflammation of the sack around the 

 heart. 

 Causes: It frequently associates other diseases, 



such as diseases of the lungs, or it may be the result 



of exposure. 



Symptoms: The fowl will raise its head and breathe 

 with difficulty, and, by placing the ear to the chest, a 

 grating or splashing noise may be heard. Exertion 

 will cause great exhaustion and sometimes sudden 

 death. 



Treatment is very seldom attempted because the 

 disease is usually unnoticed until after death; but, if 

 noticed, five drops of sweet spirits of nitre may be 

 given in a teaspoonful of water every four hours, and 

 a drop of tincture digitalis twice a day. 



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