DISEASES OF HEART. 157 



on which dependence can be placed, are a quickened and irregu- 

 lar respiration ; a bounding action of the heart in an early stage 

 of the disease ; but that, as the fluid increases and becomes con- 

 crete, assuming a feeble and fluttering character. 



Hydrops Pericardu is the term used to designate the presence 

 of the fluid secreted in consequence of this inflammation, and 

 varying from a pint to a gallon or more. In addition to the 

 symptoms already described, there is an expression of alarm and 

 anxiety in the countenance of the animal which no other malady 

 produces. The horse generally sinks from other disease, or from 

 constitutional irritation, before the cavity of the pericardium is 

 filled ; or if he lingers on, most dreadful palpitations and throb- 

 Dings accompany the advanced stage of the disease. It is sel- 

 dom or never that this disease exists alone, but is combined with 

 dropsy of the chest or abdomen. 



Inflammation of the Lining of the Heart. — Mr. Simpson 

 relates, in the Veterinarian for 1834, a case in which there were 

 symptoms of severe abdominal pain ; the respiration was much 

 disturbed, and the action of the heart took on an extraordinary 

 character. Three or four beats succeeded to each other, so vio- 

 lently as to shake the whole frame, and to be visible at the dis- 

 tance of several yards, with intervals of quietude for five minutes 

 or more. At length this violent beating became constant. 



On dissection both lungs were found to be inflamed, the serum 

 in the pericardium increased in quantity, and the internal mem- 

 brane of the heart violently inflamed, with spots of ecchymosis 

 (livid spots occasioned by extravasated blood). 



This would seem to be a case of inflammation of the heart ; 

 but in a considerable proportion of the cases of rabies, these 

 spots of ecchymosis, and this general inflammation of the heart, 

 are seen. 



Hypee-TRophy is an augmentation or thickening of the sub- 

 stance of the heart ; and although not dreamed of a few years 

 ago, seems now to be a disease of no rare occurrence among 

 horses. The heart has been known to acquire double its natural 

 volume, or the auricle and venticle on one side have been thus 

 enlarged. 



Dilatation is increased capacity of the cavities of the heart, 

 and the parietes being generally thinned. It is probable that 

 this is a more frequent disease than is generally supposed ; and 

 from the circulating power being lessened, or almost suspended, 

 on account of the inability of the cavities to propel their con- 

 tents, it is accompanied by much and rapid emaciation. 



Ossification of the heart, air in the heart, and aneu- 

 rism of the aorta, sometimes occur. 



