550 THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 



be productive of great benefit. The food must be of the 

 best quality procurable, light, highly nutritious, and of a 

 kind readily digestible. Potass^ iodidi, as above-mentioned? 

 should also be tried. This treatment failing, recourse must 

 be had to the operation of paracentesis : a small trocar and 

 canula being introduced at the side of the sternum between 

 the fifth and sixth ribs. This operation has been performed 

 with success, but it is one that, on account of the extreme 

 danger attending its performance, is not to be recom- 

 mended, and should never be performed except in cases 

 where the only choice is between the death of the animal 

 and paracentesis. After the performance of the operation, 

 the patient should be placed in a very quiet, well-ventilated, 

 and slightly darkened place, and not allowed to move about, 

 to any great extent, for several days. The food, water, and 

 attendance should be of the very best. The patient should 

 not be allowed to see or hear anything likely to cause the 

 slightest excitement. He should also, immediately after 

 the operation, be put upon a course of potassium iodid, 

 to prevent further effusion. 



Endocarditis. — This condition consists of inflammation 

 of the endocardium, or lining membrane of the heart. It 

 is a very serious affection, and one very hard to distinguish 

 from pericarditis, the symptoms being about the same in 

 both conditions. The other remarks made in regard to peri- 

 carditis will apply to this condition also. 



CARDITIS. 



Carditis, or inflammation of the heart substance, occurs in 

 connection with pericarditis and endocarditis. In cases 

 where the whole, or a large portion, of the heart substance 

 is inflamed death quickly occurs. If the inflammation be 

 circumscribed in character, recovery may take place ; but 

 there is a tendency to the formation of small abscesses. 



