122 THE OKANGE COUNTY 



cardium, that secretes a fluid, the interposition of which pre- 

 vents any injurious friction or concussion in the constant 

 action of this organ. If this fluid increases to a great de- 

 gree, it constitutes 



Dropsy of the Heart, 



and the action of the heart may be impeded or destroyed. 

 In an early stage it is difficult to detect, and in every stage 

 difficult to cure. 



The heart itself is often diseased; it sympathizes with 

 the inflammatory affection of every organ, and therefore is 

 itself occasionally inflamed. 



Carditis, or Inflammation of the Heart, 



is characterized by the strength of its pulsations, the tremor 

 of which can be seen, and the sound can be heard at a dis- 

 tance of several yards. Speedy and copious blood-letting 

 will afford the only hope of cure in such a case. 



The outer coat of the stomach and intestines is composed 

 of a serous membrane the peritoneum, which adds strength 

 and firmness to their textures, attaches and supports and 

 confines them in their respective places, and secretes a fluid 

 that prevents all injurious friction between them. This coat 

 is exceedingly subject to inflammation, which is somewhat 

 gradual in its approach. The pulse is quickened, but small; 

 the legs cold; the belly tender; there is a constant pain, and 

 every motion increases it; there is also rapid and great 

 prostration of strength. These symptoms will sufficiently 

 characterize 



Peritoneal Inflammation. 



Bleeding, aperient injections, and extensive counter-irrita- 

 tion, will afford the only hope of cure. 

 The time for 



Castration 



varies according to the breed and destiny of the horse. On 

 the farmer's colt it may be effected when the animal is not 

 more than four or five months old, and it is comparatively 

 seldom that a fatal case occurs. For other horses, much de- 

 pends on their growth, and particularly on the development 

 of their fore- quarters. An improvement has been effected 

 in the old mode of castrating, by opening the scrotum, and 



