372 HORSE, SWINE AND POULTRY DISEASES 



other organs, such as the liver, kidneys, etc. When it exists alone 

 its presence is seldom suspected previous to death. It may be sec- 

 ondary to hypertrophy of the heart, to myocarditis, or to pericardi- 

 tis. It may be due to deteriorated conditions of the blood in wast- 

 ing diseases, excessive hemorrhages, etc., or to poisoning with ar- 

 senic and phosphorus. 



Symptoms. The most prominent symptoms of fatty degenera- 

 tion are a feeble action of tne heart, a remarkably slow pulse, gen- 

 eral 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. 



Treatment. 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 

 stimulants as they may be indicated. 



RUPTUKE 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, pres- 

 sure 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 

 disease, overwork, 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 food. Car- 

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

 to prevent the formation of heart clot. 



CONGESTION OF THE HEART. 



Congestion, or an accumulation of the blood in the cavities of 

 the heart may occur, in consequence of fibrinous deposits interfer- 

 ing with the free movements of the valves, usually the product of 

 endocarditis or as a result of excessive muscular exertion. The 

 symptoms are great difficulty of breathing, paleness of the visible 

 mucous membranes, great anxiety, frequently accompanied by a 

 general tremor and cold perspiration, followed by death. It usually 

 results in death very quickly. 



CYANOSIS OF NEWBORN FOALS. 



This is a condition sometimes found in foals immediately after 

 birth, and is due to nonclosure of the foramen ovale, which allows 

 a mixture of the venous with the arterial blood in the left cavities 

 of the heart. It is characterized by a dark purple or bluish color of 

 the visible mucous membranes, shortness of breath, and general 

 feebleness. Foals thus affected generally live only a few hours after 

 birth. 



