200 MANUAL OF EQUINE MEDICINE. 



left side may be well rubbed with some stimulating liniment 

 containing tincture of opium. The legs should be carefully 

 bandaged, and the food should be nutritious and easily 

 digestible. After the early stages are over and effusion 

 sets in, a cantharides blister applied over the cardiac region 

 is very useful. Stimulants and tonics, such as the salts of 

 iron, with diuretics or potassium iodide, may now be given 

 internally. 



When the pericarditis is associated with rheumatism, the 

 treatment does not materially differ from that above de- 

 scribed. Colchicum is useful internally, but aconite or 

 opium are perhaps preferable. Bicarbonate of potash and 

 nitric ether may be given in addition; and the woollen 

 cloths should be applied to the chest as in the idiopathic 

 variety. 



When associated with the specific fevers, pericarditis 

 should not be treated apart from the general disease. 

 Moderate blisters may be applied to the left side, and 

 stimulants and potassium iodide given internally. When 

 the fluid in the pericardium remains unabsorbed, and there is 

 in consequence serious interference with the heart's action 

 and great difficulty in breathing, the fluid should be removed 

 by paracentesis or puncturing of the pericardial sac. 



HYDROPS PERICARDII.— Dropsy of the pericardium, 

 or hydrops pericardii as it is termed, may follow an attack 

 of subacute pericarditis, but in most instances it is part of 

 a general dropsy. 



The fluid is purely serous, thus differing from that of 

 acute pericarditis. There are usually no symptoms by which 

 this condition can be diagnosed during life. 



