DISEASES OF CATTLE 121 



is absorbed sufficiently to allow the surfaces to come in contact again. 

 But during the time the friction sound is lost a sound which has 

 been called a churning noise may take its place. 



The friction sound of pericarditis can not be mistaken for the 

 friction sound of pleurisy if the examination is a careful one, be- 

 cause in the heart affection the sound is made in connection with the 

 heart beats, while in the pleuritic affection the sound is synchron- 

 ous -with each respiration or breath of air taken in and expelled from 

 the lungs. 



Treatment. When pericarditis is complicated with rheumatism 

 or other diseases the latter must be treated as directed in the descrip- 

 tion of them. The animal must be kept in a quiet, comfortable 

 place, where it will be free from excitement. Warm clothing should 

 be applied to the body and the legs should be hand-rubbed until the 

 circulation in them is re-established, and then snugly bandaged. The 

 food should be nutritive and in moderate quantity. Bleeding should 

 not be performed unless the case is in the hands of an expert. 



At the beginning, give as a purgative Epsom salts 1 pound to 

 an average-sized cow dissolved in about a quart of warm water and 

 administered as a drench. When there is much pain, 2 ounces of 

 laudanum may be given, diluted with a pint of water, every three 

 hours, until relief is given. Do not give the laudanum unless de- 

 manded by the severity of the pain, as it tends to constipation. Give 

 one-half ounce of nitrate of potassium (saltpeter) , dissolved in drink- 

 ing water, four or five times a day. After the attack has abated, 

 mustard mixed with water may be rubbed well over the left side of 

 the chest to stimulate the absorption of the fluid contained within 

 the pericardium. The other medicines may be discontinued and the 

 following administered: Sulphate of iron, 2 ounces; powdered gen- 

 tian, 6 ounces; mix and make eight powders. Give one powder 

 every day at noon, mixed with food, if the animal will eat it, or 

 shaken up with water in a bottle as a drench. Also the following: 

 lodid of potassium, 2 ounces; nitrate of potassium, 8 ounces; mix 

 and make sixteen powders. Give one in drinking water or in drench 

 every morning and evening. The last two prescriptions may be con- 

 tinued for several weeks if necessary. 



If at any time during the attack much weakness is manifested, 

 give the following drench every three hours: Spirits of nitrous 

 ether, 3 ounces; rectified spirits, 4 ounces; water, 1 pint; mix and 

 give as a drench. 



In extreme cases tapping the pericardium with a trocar and ca- 

 nula to draw off the fluid is resorted to, but the operation requires 

 exact anatomical knowledge. 



After death from pericarditis there is always more or less fluid 

 found in the pericardium ; the surfaces are rough and covered with 

 a yellow-colored exudate. There are also, in many cases, adhesions, 

 to a greater or less extent, between the heart and pericardium. 



Fatty Degeneration of the Heart. This condition of the heart 

 is met with in some cattle that are very fat, but it must be under- 

 stood that the accumulation of fat around the heart is not referred to 



