HYDROPS PERICARDII. 201 



vantageous to revive on the present occasion. His observa- 

 tions relate particularly to 



HYDROPS PERICARDII. 



This implies the stage of pericarditis when effusion is 

 taking or has taken place, and the membranous sac is sup- 

 posed to contain watery fluids and probably lymph as well. 



The SYMPTOMS of this affection, apart from pleurisy and 

 pneumonia, Mr. Pritchard informs us, are ^' well marked." 

 They are, " palpitation of the heart. The carotid arteries 

 beat forcibly, and are readily recognised in applying the 

 finger to their course in the neck. There is a good flow of 

 blood through the jugulars; a copious return of blood 

 through the neck, when the state of the pulse is considered ; 

 the surface of the body and extremities are warm; and these 

 latter symptoms continue until within one or two hours of 

 the horse's death." — " In addition to the above symptoms^ 

 there is such an expression of alarm and anxiety in the 

 countenance of the animal as no other malady produces.^' — 

 " The respiration is but little disturbed." 



The FLUID COLLECTED in most cases resembles the serum 

 of the blood. Sometimes it is red, from being tinged with 

 exuded blood; at others it is turbid from lymph floating in 

 it; not unfrequently it is sero-purulent in character, and 

 looks like so much whey. Now and then we find pus in 

 flakes mingled with it. In quantity it varies considerably, 

 from a pint to a gallon or more. The horse generally sinks 

 from other disease, or from constitutional irritation, before 

 the cavity be filled. I recollect, however, a case of a cart- 

 horse, which occurred while I was a pupil at the Veterinary 

 College, whose death, without any previous sign of illness, 

 took place quite suddenly and unexpectedly, in whom the 

 pericardiac sac was found distended to that degree of pleni- 

 tude with fluid, that the heart had absolutely become inun- 

 dated and choked in its action. 



The PATHOLOGY of this dropsy, so far as our present 

 investigations have gone, would appear to admit of various 



