80 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



against the external surface of the heart. During the first stages of 

 the inflammation these surfaces are dry, and the rubbing of one 

 against the other during the contraction and relaxation of the heart 

 produces this sound. The dry stage is followed by the exudation of 

 fluid into the heart sac, and the friction is not heard until the fluid 

 is absorbed sufficiently to allow the surfaces to come in contact again. 

 But during the time the friction sound is lost a sound which has been 

 called a " churning noise " may take its place. 



The friction sound of pericarditis can not be mistaken for the fric- 

 tion sound of pleurisy if the examination is a careful one, because 

 in the heart affection the sound is made in connection with the heart 

 beats, while in the pleuritic affection the sound is synchronous with 

 each respiration or breath of air taken in and expelled from the 

 lungs. 



Treatment. — When pericarditis is complicated with rheumatism or 

 other diseases the latter must be treated as directed in the description 

 of them. The ariimal must be kept in a quiet, comfortable place, 

 where it will be free from excitement. Warm clothing should be 

 applied to the body, and the legs should be hand-rubbed until the cir- 

 culation in them is reestablished, and then they should be snugly 

 bandaged. The food should be nutritive and in moderate quantity. 

 Bleeding should not be performed unless the case is in the hands of 

 an expert. 



At the beginning give as a purgative Epsom salt — 1 pound to an 

 average-sized cow — dissolved in about a quart of warm water and 

 administered as a drench. "VA^ien there is much pain 2 ounces of 

 laudanum, diluted with a pint of water, may be given every three 

 hours until the animal is better. Do not give the laudanum unless 

 demanded by the severity of the pain, as it tends to constipate. Give 

 one-half omice of nitrate of potassium (saltpeter) , dissolved in drink- 

 ing water, four or five times a day. After the attack has abated 

 mustard mixed with water may be rubbed well over the left side 

 of the chest to stimulate the absorption of the fluid within the 

 pericardium. The other medicines may be discontinued and the 

 following administered: Sulphate of iron, 2 ounces; powdered gen- 

 tian, 6 ounces; mix and make 8 powdei*s. Give one powder every 

 day at noon, mixed with feed, if the animal will eat it, or shaken up 

 with water in a bottle as a drench. Also the following: lodid of 

 potassium, 2 ounces; nitrate of potassium, 8 ounces; mix and make 

 16 powders. Give one in drinking water or in drench every morning 

 and evening. The last two prescriptions may be continued for sev- 

 eral weeks if necessary. 



