DISEASES OF HEART, BLOOD VESSELS, AND LYMPHATICS. 257 



dilatation of its cavities; when they are but slight, they may not 

 cause any inconvenience. 



Treatment. — In acute or subacute pericarditis the tincture of digi- 

 talis may be driven in 20 to 30 drop doses every hour until the pulse 

 and temperature become reduced. Whisky or carbonate of anniionia 

 may be given regularly as stimulants. Bandages should be applied 

 tt) the legs; if the legs are very cold, tincture of capsicum should be 

 lirst applied; the body should l)e warmly clothed in blankets, to pro- 

 mote perspiration. When the suffering from pain is very severe, 10 

 grains of morphin may be given by the mouth once or twice a day; 

 nitrate of potassium, half an ounce, in drinking water, every six 

 hours; after the third day, iodid of potassium, in 2-dram doses, may 

 be substituted. Cold packs to the chest in the early stages of the 

 disease nuiy give nuirked relief, or, late in the disease, smart blisters 

 may be applied to the sides of the chest with benefit. If the disease 

 bi'comes chronic, iodid of iron and gentian to support the strength 

 will be indicated, but the iodid of potassium, in 1 or 2 dram doses, 

 two or three times a day, must not be abandoned so long as there is 

 an evidence of effusion or plastic exudate accumulating in the peri- 

 cardial sac. Where the effusicm is groat and threatens the life of 

 the patient, tapping by an expert veterinarian may save the animal. 



VALVULAR DISEASE OF THE HEART. 



Acute valvular disease can not be distinguished from endocarditis, 

 and chronic valvular affections are generally the result of endocar- 

 dial inflamnuition. The valves of the left side are the most subject — 

 the bicuspid or mitral and the aortic or semihmar. The derange- 

 ment may consist of mere inflammation and swelling, or the edges of 

 the valves may become covered by the organizati(>n of the exudation, 

 tlnis narrowing the passage. Valviilar obstruction and adhesions 

 may occur or the tendinous cords may be lengthened or shortened, 

 thus obstructing the orifices and permitting the regurgitation of 

 l)lood. In protected cases the fibrous tissue of the valves may be 

 transformed into fibro-cartilage or bone, or there may be deposits of 

 salts of lime beneath the serous membrance. which may terminate in 

 ulceration, rupture, or fissures. Sometimes the valves become cov- 

 ered by fibrinous, fleshy, or hard vegetations, or excrescences. In 

 cases of considerable dilatation of the heart there may be atrophy and 

 siirinking of the valves. 



Symptams. — Valvular disease may be indicated by a venous pulse, 

 jerking pulse, intermittent pidse. irregular ])ulse: jialpitation : con- 

 stant abnoniuil fullness of the jugular veins: dilliculty of breathing 

 when the animal becomes excited or is urged out of a walk or into a 



36444"— 16 17 



