262 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



generally involved it is flabby or flaccid, and in extreme cases col- 

 lapses when emptied or cut. Upon dissection the interior of the 

 ventricles is observed to be covered with buff-colored spots of a 

 singular zigzag form. This appearance may be noticed beneath the 

 pericardium, and pervading the whole thiclaiess of the ventricular 

 walls, and in extreme cases those of the fleshy columns in the interior 

 of the heart. These spots are found to be degenerated muscular 

 fibers and colonies of oil globules. Fatty degeneration is often asso- 

 ciated with other morbid conditions of the heart, such as obesity, 

 dilatation, rupture, aneurism, etc. It may be connected with fatty 

 diseases of other organs, such as the liver, kidneys, etc. Wlien it 

 exists alone its presence is seldom suspected previous to death. It 

 may be secondary to hypertrophy of the heart, to myocarditis, or 

 to pericarditis. It may be due to deteriorated conditions of the 

 blood in wasting diseases, excessive hemorrhages, etc., or to poisoning 

 with arsenic and phosphorus. 



Symptoms. — The most prominent symptoms of fatty degeneration 

 are a feeble action of the heart, a remarkably slow pulse, general 

 debility, and attacks of vertigo. It may exist for a long time, but is 

 apt to terminate suddenly in death upon the occurrence of other 

 diseases, surgical operations, etc. It may involve a liability to 

 sudden death from rupture of the ventricular walls. 



Treatm£nt. — Confinement in feed to oats, wheat or rye bran, and 

 timothy hay. Twenty drops of sulphuric acid may be given in 

 drinking water three times a day, and hypophosphite of iron in 2- 

 dram doses, mixed with the feed, twice a day. Other tonics and stim- 

 ulants as they may be indicated. 



RUPTURE OF THE HEART. 



This may occur as the result of some previous disease, such as 

 fatty degeneration, dilatation with weakness of the muscular walls, 

 etc. It may be caused by external violence, a crushing fall, pressure 

 of some great weight, etc. Usually death follows a rupture very 

 quickly, though an animal may live for some time when the rent is 

 not very large. 



WEAKNESS OF THE HEART. 



This may arise from general debility, the result of exhausting dis- 

 ease, ovei'work, or heart strain, or loss of blood. It is indicated by a 

 small, feeble, but generally regular pulse, coldness of the body, etc. 



Treatment should be directed to support and increase the strength 

 of the animal by tonics, rest, and nutritious feed. Carbonate of 

 ammonia may be given to stimulate the heart's action and to prevent 

 the formation of heart clot. 



