Symptoms, Course, Treatment. 1109 



tion is impaired. In almost all cases which have been observed 

 for some time, weakness of the hind quarter conld be deter- 

 mined, which was mostly noted only during motion in excep- 

 tional cases also at rest (Barrier). Finally there are symptoms 

 of cardiac weakness (rapid fatigue, strong filling of veins, 

 vertigo, sometimes epileptoid convulsions [Lustig]). 



Nervous symptoms are observed only in exceptional cases, 

 when a nerve trunk has been compressed by the aneurysm. In 

 Vagus compression, for instance, the heart beat may be accel- 

 erated; compression of the N. Eecurrens may cause laryngeal 

 whistling. In a case observed by Schmidt the horse gave evi- 

 dences of severe pain on lowering the head. 



Course. A fairly long time is probably required for the 

 development of aneurysms to that degree in which they give 

 rise to decided morbid changes, probably several years (in Tom- 

 bari's case the disease had existed at least three years). Death 

 is due either to the compression of neighboring organs or to cir- 

 culatory disturbances, unless the bursting of the aneurysm ter- 

 minates life suddenly, possibly with symptoms of internal hem- 

 orrhage or with symptoms of pulmonary or intestinal hemor- 

 rhage. 



Treatment. A successful treatment of aortic aneurysm is 

 not possible. The stimulation of blood clots within the aneu- 

 rysm by electro-puncture, injections of chloride of iron, the 

 introduction of foreign bodies does not enter into consideration 

 in animals. Nor do subcutaneous injections of gelatin promise 

 results (in man 50-130 gm., injected in one dose, of a 2-3% 

 solution). It may be mentioned, by the way, that tetanus infec- 

 tion should be prevented by employing Gelatina sterilisata pro 

 injectione (Merck). The treatment is therefore limited to sav- 

 ing the animals from exertion and regulating any existing car- 

 diac disturbances. The administration of iodide of potassium 

 also seems to be useless. 



Literature. Barrier, Bull., 1894. 327. — Gerlach, Z. f. Flhy^., 1905. XV. 

 115. — Labat & Cadeae, Eev. vet., 1884. 105. — Petit, Eec, 1905. 273, 299; 

 Bull., 1906. 104. — Piot-Bey, Bull., 1905. 170. — Schmidt, A. f. Tk., 1889. XV. 

 295. — Tombari, Vet. Jhb., 1882. 74. 



Aneurisms of other blood vessels. Even more frequently than in 

 the aorta, a dilatation of the anterior mesenteric artery and of its main 

 branches occurs in horses under the influence of the Sclerostomum vul- 

 gare (Vol. II.), exceptionally and also from other causes in swine (Koch, 

 Leibinger). In the other arteries of the abdominal cavity aneurisms 

 are formed much more rarely, but they occur for instance in the Arteria 

 coeliaca, the Arteria mesenterica posterior or in Ai-teria hepatica. In 

 other branches of the aorta dilatations are also very rare. In Cadiot's 

 case in an ass, and in three cases reported by Piot-Bey in cattle a dilata- 

 tion of the coronary arteries had caused sudden death. Steinmeier saw 

 a dilatation of the carotis cause sudden death by bursting and Reimers 

 observed in the sacral region in a cow a tense, faintly pulsating bulging 



