DISEASES OP THE HEART. 129 



INFLAMMATION OF THE PERICARDIUM 

 (PERICARDITIS). 



The pericardium is the watery, membranous bag that 

 contains the heart. Pericarditis may be the result of cold, 

 exposure, or fatigue, but it is oftener the result of rheu- 

 matic fever, strangles, influenza, purpura, blood contam- 

 inations, diseases of the lungs, pleura, and heart itself, 

 cancer, parasitic growths, wounds, &c. 



The disease, says Percivall, usually follows or is secon- 

 dary to pleurisy. The effusions of water and lymph pe- 

 culiar to pleurisy are often found within the pericardium, 

 " as though one membrane had sympathized with the 

 other." The lymph is mostly disposed in layers on the 

 internal surface of the sac and the exterior of the heart 

 to such a degree as to cause adhesion between the two. 

 It is of an albuminous character. In time, when lining 

 the pericardium, it becomes firm, thin, and white. In a 

 recorded case it was of the nature of cartilage, and about 

 an eighth of an inch in thickness. 



The symptoms of pericarditis are exceedingly variable. 

 (Robertson.) 



Remedy. — Cautious bleedi ag, followed by small doses 

 of aconite, is serviceable in acute independent cases, but 

 is unsuitable in second stages or in epizootic attacks. 



Morphine hypodermically usually relieves acute pain. 

 Woolen cloths wrung out of hot water to chest for an 

 hour or two at a time. Soap liniment, l-20th part opium 

 tincture, rubbed in freely between fomentations. Sodium 

 bicarbonate and sulphate in drinking water relieve fever 

 and maintain action of bowels. Digitalis may be used 

 carefully when heart action is feeble and rapid. In more 

 advanced stage, and when fluid is effused, supporting 

 treatment needful. Moderate doses of stimulants; potas- 

 sium or ferrous iodide, with mustard or cantharides to 

 chest. Digitalis and strychnine assist absorption of fluid 



