Diagnosis, Prognosis. Treatment. 1085 



similar phenomena may be observed in acute myocarditis and 

 in cardiac dilatation. If the murmurs persist permanently, 

 if to them are added circulatory disturbances and perhaps 

 emboli, the nature of the disease may be assumed with sufficient 

 certainty. Still it must not be forgotten that an animal ill 

 with chronic endocarditis may become affected with another 

 septicemic disease. 



The differentiation of verrucous endocarditis from the 

 ulcerous form is usually very difficult. In general it may be 

 said that the more severe the symptoms, the higher the fever, 

 and the more turbulent the circulatory disturbances , the greater 

 is the probability of ulcerous endocarditis. Collateral factors 

 may afford information in so far as the verrucous form usually 

 develops in connection with swine erysipelas or with articular 

 rheumatism, while endocarditis ulcerosa occurs in purulent or 

 ichorous processes any\vhere in the body. 



Prognosis. Acute endocarditis is always a severe disease, 

 especially in the ulcerous form. Even in the lightest cases 

 there is little hope for complete recovery, because usually 

 chronic changes remain which afford a basis for permanent 

 valvular lesions and thus reduce both the ability to work and 

 the nutrition of the animals. 



Treatment. Absolute rest should be procured first of all. 

 For the alleviation of the excitement, which is noticeable at 

 least occasionally, cold or ice compresses upon the heart or 

 cold sprays are appropriate. If the heart action is very rapid 

 and irregular the cautious administration of digitalis or of 

 its preparations or of other cardiac remedies is indicated (see 

 valvular diseases). In heart weakness the danger of cardiac 

 paralysis must be counteracted with stimulants, for instance, 

 with alcohol, wines, black coffee, tea, caffeine, theine, camphor, " 

 Liq. Amnion. Anisatus internally; ether, camphorated oil, tinc- 

 ture of musk subcutaneously. In excessively high temperature 

 the fever requires lactophenin, antipyrin, aspirin, antifebrin, 

 etc. In endocarditis of rheumatic origin salicylic acid and 

 its preparations may be tried. 



Literature. Albrecht, W. f. Tk., 1893. 164. — Bang, D. Z. f. Tm., 1892. 

 XVIII. 27. — Bergeon, Eev. vet., 1905. 320. — Coppel, Die chron. Klappenerkrank. 

 beim Himde, Diss. Leipzig, 1908. — Dasch, T. Z., 1907. 518. — Eiseiimann, Monh., 

 1906. XVII. 97. — Frohner, Monh., 1894. V. 171. — Hartl, Z. f. Tm., 1902. VI. 

 450. — Jensen, Maanedsskr., 1898. X. 65. — Joest, S. B., 1905. 300. — Joest & 

 Eoder, Monh., 1908. XIX. 158. — Luginger, ibid., 1904. XV. 289 (Lit.). — Meyer, 

 B. t. W., 1905. 740. — Trasbot, A. d'Alf., 1877. 921. 



12. Valvular Diseases. Vitia Cordis. Heart Troubles. 



The designation of valvular lesions includes the chronic 

 organic diseases which cause functional disturbances of the 

 heart valves and the cardiac ostia. They differ in their deriva- 

 tion. 



