DISEASES OF THE HEART MUSCLE 1G3 



from the fact that it is quite common to find serious heart defects 

 in post-mortems on dogs that have been apparently heahliy during 

 life. 



Compensating heart defects do not require any treatment. We 

 try to aid the heart in its efforts by giving nutritive diet and removing all 

 exciting causes, such as great or prolonged exertion. 



As soon as the heart begins to weaken and the difficulty in respiration 

 increases, accompanied by oedema, palpitation, etc., we must use heart 

 tonics, such as digitalis, strophanthus, caffeine, etc. 



■7. Tine, strophanthus, 15.0 



Sig. — Ten to twenty drops morning and evening. 

 J\. Caffeine nitricum, 0.5 



M. F. charta Xo. x. 



Sig. — One powder morning and evening. 

 I^. Caffeine citrate, .3.0 



Tinct. digitalis, 4.0 



AquiB, 64 . 



Sig. — One teaspoonful twice daily. 



If by medicinal treatment we succeed in reestablishing a compensat- 

 ing action, the anlema gradually disappears; if, how^ever, we do not get 

 the desired result and there should be any oedema remaining, Ave must 

 treat it symptomatically, using those diuretics mentioned under the 

 treatment of pleurisy, particularly theol:)romin (rather than calomel). 

 AVhere there is decided palpitation, we must use cold compresses in the 

 region of the heart, or subcutaneous injections of morphia. In milder 

 cases use the salts of In-omine. Great weakness of the pulse must be 

 treated with alcohol, ether, or camphor, etc. Tine, nux vomica may be 

 given in doses of one drop three times daily when the appetite is poor. 



The symptoms alcove described are sometimes found in dogs that 

 do not present any marked alterations in the valves or openings, either 

 during life or on post-mortem; these are due either to simple idiopathic 

 hypertrophy and dilatation or to alteration of the heart muscle. 



Diseases of the Heart Muscle. 



Idiopathic Hypertrophy and Dilatation of the Heart. — We find on 

 post-mortem, as a rule, a hypertrophy of the left ventricle, but oc- 

 casionally it is of both ventricles. At the same time we do not find 

 any alteration of the lungs or kidneys which might produce secondary 

 hypertrophy of the heart muscle. The causes are extreme and constant 

 exertion, cold, abnormal excitability of the heart (in closely bred lap 

 dogs), overfeeding, and too much rich blood (as in pet animals). 



