130 THE DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



by raising blood pressure in kidney arteries and promoting 

 urination. 



Where dropsy of the pericardium (hydrops pericardi), 

 persists, remove fluid by special trocar. This is sometimes 

 described as a distinct disease. 



For doses, see pages 13 to 29. 



PALPITATION OF THE HEART 



Is usually tumultuous and rapid action. Sometimes 

 there is a peculiar sound and irregular heart and arterial 

 pulsations. Sometimes the heart action seems completely 

 confused, and sometimes there is intermittency. The 

 palpitation may be continuous or only at intervals. 



The causes of palpitation may be too much blood, blood 

 contamination, poverty of blood, &c. Nervous and ex- 

 citable temperament, debility, exhaustion, and youth are 

 said to be predisposing causes. 



Remedy. — Kest, quiet, generous diet. Iron tonics for 

 anaemic murmurs (a sound caused by deficiency of blood). 

 Small doses of aconite for violent action. Digitalis for 

 weak and irregular action. Bromides for irregular and 

 fluttering action. Laxatives for digestive derangement. 

 Belladonna for strain or overexertion. Strychnine is a 

 heart tonic. (For a list of heart and other tonics, see 

 page 37.) 



Where there is fainting or loss of sensation and motion, 

 dash cold water over the head ; ammonia to nostrils. If 

 the condition results from loss of blood, transfuse blood 

 from a healthy and vigorous horse. 



For doses, see pages 13 to 29. 



OTHER HEART DISEASES. 



There are other heart diseases, such as inflammation of 

 both the membrane and substance of the heart (endocard- 

 itis and carditis) ; both enlargement and wasting of the 

 heart; fatty changes in the heart; rupture of the heart, 



