CHAPTER Xn. 

 DISEASES OP THE HEART AND BLOOD VESSELS. 



I. INFLAMMATION OP THE ENDOCARDIUM. II. ENLARGEMENT OF THE HEART. 



III. ATROPHY OF THE HEART. IV. INDURATION OF THE HEART. V. FATTl 



DEGENERATION OF THE HEART. VI. OBESITY OF THE HEART. VII. CYANO- 



SIS OR BLUE DISEASE. VIII. RUPTURE OF THE HEART. IX. RUPTURE 0» 



A BLOOD VESSEL. X. ANEURISM. XI. PHLEBITIS OR INFLAMMATION OF A 



VEIN. XII. THUMPS. 



Diseases of the heart are numerous but difficult to diagnose, except b}* 

 their effects. Few of them are influenced by treatment ; therefore this 

 short chapter on the subject, is given more as a matter of general infor- 

 mation than of practical utility. 



I. Lifiammation of the Endocardium. 



This is inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart. This sac is 

 a serous one, similar to the pleura, and secretes a fluid to moisten and 

 lubricate the heart in its perpetual motion. 



How to know it. — The horse will attract notice as not being in his usu- 

 8ual healthy form ; his head will hang down ; the countenance will 

 express pain ; he will stand still with no inclination to move ; the pulse 

 will be raised considerably. Upon application of the ear to his side over 

 the region of the heart, a harsh rasping sound will be heard indicating 

 the diy stage of inflammation. 



What to do. — All that can be done to advantage is to treat the 

 horse constitutionally by giving recipe No. 40. Feed on soft food for a 

 few days ; keep him warm and aoply No. 41 to the side over the heart. 



n. Enlargement of the Heart. 



This is not uncommon ; the heart sometimes increases to twice its nat- 

 Ui-al size. This is especially so of the left ventricle ; its walls sometimes 

 get unusually thick. 



How to know it. — It cannot be definitely recognized during life, but a 

 fair opinion can be based upon the pulse, which will be irregular in its 

 action, both as to force and number of beats. The temperature of the 

 body will be uneven ; one side may be cold, and the other warm, one leg 

 Gold and the others warm, etc. 



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