368 HORSE, SWINE AND POULTRY DISEASES 



When the serous effusion is very great, the pressure exerted upon the 

 heart weakens its action, and may produce death soon; when it is 

 not so great, it may cause dropsies of other portions of the body. 

 When the adhesions of the pericardial sac to the body of the heart 

 are extensive, they generally lead to increased growth, or hyper- 

 trophy, of the heart, with or without dilatation of its cavities ; when 

 they are but slight, they may not cause any inconvenience. 



Treatment. In acute or subacute pericarditis the tincture of 

 digitalis may be given in 20 to 30 drop doses every hour until the 

 pulse and temperature become reduced. Whisky or carbonate of 

 ammonia may be given regularly as stimulants. Bandages should 

 be applied to the legs ; if the legs are very cold, tincture of capsicum 

 should be first applied; the body should be warmly clothed in 

 blankets, to promote perspiration. When the suffering from pain 

 is very severe, 10 grains of morphine may be given by the mouth 

 once or twice a day; nitrate of potassa, half an ounce, in drinking 

 water, every six hours ; after the third day, iodide of potassa, in 2- 

 dram doses, may be substituted. Cold packs to the chest in the early 

 stages of the disease may give marked relief, or, late in the disease, 

 smart blisters may be applied to the sides of the chest with benefit. 

 If the disease becomes chronic, iodide of iron and gentian to support 

 the strength will be indicated, but the iodide of potassa, 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 pericardial sac. Where the effusion is great and threatens 

 the life of the patient, tapping by an expert veterinarian may save 

 the animal. 



VALVULAR DISEASE OP THE HEART. 



Acute valvular disease can not be distinguished from endocar- 

 ditis, and chronic valvular affections are generally the result of endo- 

 cardial inflammation. The valves of the left side are the most sub- 

 ject the bicuspid or mitral and the aortic or semilunar. The de- 

 rangement may consist of mere inflammation and swelling, or the 

 edges of the valves may become covered by the organization of the 

 exudation, thus narrowing the passage. Valvular obstruction and 

 adhesions may occur or the tendinous cords may be lengthened or 

 shortened, thus obstructing the orifices and permitting the regurgi- 

 tation of blood. 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 membrane, which may 

 terminate in ulceration, rupture, or fissures. Sometimes the valves 

 become covered by fibrinous, fleshy, or hard vegetations. In cases 

 of considerable dilatation of the heart there may be shrinking of 

 the valves. 



Symptoms. Valvular disease may be indicated by a venous 

 pulse, jerking pulse, intermittent pulse, irregular pulse ; palpitation ; 

 constant abnormal fullness of the jugular veins ; difficulty of breath- 

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

 into a fast trot ; attacks of vertigo ; congestion of the brain ; dropsi- 

 cal swelling of the limbs. A blowing, cooing, or bubbling murmur 



