370 HORSE, SWINE AND POULTRY DISEASES 



tensity, a mechanical interference with the circulation of the 

 brain, etc. 



Symptoms. Syncope is characterized by a decrease or tempo- 

 rary suspension of the action of the heart and respiration, with 

 partial or total loss of consciousness. It generally occurs suddenly, 

 though there may be premonitory symptoms, as giddiness, or ver- 

 tigo, dilated pupil, staggering, a rapidly sinking pulse, and dropping 

 to the ground. The pulse is feeble or ceases to beat; the surface of 

 the body turns cold ; breathing is scarcely to be perceived, and the 

 animal may be entirely unconscious. This state is uncertain in 

 duration generally it lasts only a few minutes; the circulation 

 becomes restored, breathing becomes more distinct, and conscious- 

 ness and muscular strength return. In cases attended with much 

 hemorrhage or organic disease of the heart, the fainting fit may 

 'be fatal; otherwise it will prove but a transient occurrence. In 

 paralysis of the heart the symptoms may be exactly similar to syn- 

 cope. Syncope may be distinguished from apoplexy by the absence 

 of stertorous breathing and lividity of the visible mucous membranes. 



Treatment. Dash cold water on the head ; administer a stimu- 

 lant 4 ounces of whiskey or half an ounce of carbonate of am- 

 monia. Prevent the animal from getting up too soon, or the attack 

 may immediately recur. Afterwards if me attack was due to weak- 

 ness from loss of blood, impoverished blood, or associated with debil- 

 ity, general tonics, rest, and nourishing food are indicated. 



HYPERTROPHY OF THE HEART, OR CARDIAC ENLARGEMENT. 



Hypertrophy of the heart implies augmentation of bulk in its 

 muscular substance, with or without dilatation or contraction of its 

 cavities. It may exist with or without other cardiac affections. In 

 valvular disease or valvular insufficiency hypertrophy frequently re- 

 sults as a consequence of increased demand for propelling power. 

 The difficulties with which it is most frequently connected are dil- 

 atation and ossification of the valves. It may also occur in connec- 

 tion with atrophied kidneys, weak heart, etc. It may be caused by 

 an increased determination of blood to the organ or from a latent 

 form of myocarditis, and it may arise from a long-continued in- 

 crease of action dependent upon nervous disease. 



Symptoms. In the hypertrophy of the heart, in addition to the 

 usual symptoms manifested in organic diseases of the heart, there is 

 a powerful and heaving impulse at each beat, which may be felt on 

 the left side, often also on the right. These pulsations are regular, 

 and when full and strong at the jaw there is a tendency to active 

 congestion of the capillary vessels, which frequently gives rise to 

 local inflammation, active hemorrhage, etc. If the pulse is small 

 and feeble at the jaw, we may conclude that there is some obstacle 

 to the escape of the blood from the left ventricle into the aorta, 

 which has given rise to the hypertrophy. In case of hypertrophy 

 with dilatation, the impulse is not only powerful and heaving, but 

 it is diffused over the whole region of the heart, and the normal 

 sounds of the heart are greatly increased in intensity. Percussion 



