3IO Veteri7iary Medicine. 



nor succession with the heart beats, we can freely acknowledge a 

 neurosis starting at a point different from the heart, but in all ex- 

 amples which are manifestly connected with heart movements, and 

 readily curable by the heart-tonic digitalis, the recognition of the 

 cardiac derangement as an initial factor is sound alike in pathol- 

 ogy and practice. 



Nervous and purely functional palpitations are probably con- 

 fined to cases in which they are manifested at intervals appearing 

 under the influence of some transient excitement, and continuing 

 only for a few minutes at a time. 



In the ansemic or bloodless condition the palpitation of weak- 

 ness is often observed under the slightest exciting cause. It is 

 then associated with a pallid state of the visible mucous mem- 

 branes, a weak, trickling pulse and a blowing murmur in the 

 larger veins. 



Palpitations are much more frequent in pigs and dogs than in 

 horses. 



Treat7nent. Quietness and avoidance of all excitement are first 

 to be secured, then the action of the heart is to be calmed and reg- 

 ulated by the use of digitalis. To the horse 15 to 30 grains of 

 the powered leaves may be given thrice daily, and to the dog from 

 two to four grains at equal intervals. When the disease is associ- 

 ated with anaemia this agent may still be used in combination with 

 the various tonic remedies recommended, but in the smallest 

 doses only as the heart is usually morbidly sensitive to external 

 influences. Chloral hydrate has been used with success. Brom- 

 ides, valerian, and belladonna may be tried in obstinate cases. 

 Any other deviation from a healthy condition must be noted and 

 corrected, especially any disordered condition of the stomach or 

 bowels. 



