DISEASES OF THE HEART. 113 



PERICARDITIS. 



This is inflammation of the fibrous covering of the heart ar.d 

 its reflection on the pleurre, and is due to similar causes with 

 diseases of the kings. It is also induced by influenza, pleuro- 

 pneumonia, rheumatism, and wounds with sharp-pointed bodies 

 (pins, needles, nails, broken ribs, etc.) 



Symptoms. — General fever, staring coat, hot, dry mouth 

 (muzzle, snout), dilated nostrils, excited, difiicult breathing, 

 double lifting of the flank with each expiration, the formation 

 of a ridge on the abdomen as in pleurisy, tenderness when 

 pinched or percussed behind the left elbow (in ruminants and 

 small quadrupeds over the breast-bone), a rubbing sound with 

 each beat of the heart and the impulse of the heart strong. 

 Soon effusion takes place, the rubbing sound is lost, the impulse 

 of the heart and its sounds are weakened, and the area of dul- 

 ness in percussion is increased. This dulness does not main- 

 tain a horizontal line along the chest as in hydrothorax, but is 

 like an inverted cone and changes its position with a change of 

 posture which is easily effected in small animals. Difficulty 

 and oppression of breathing, protruded nose, staring eyeballs, 

 pinched, haggard countenance, venous pulse, and obstinate 

 standing mark the advanced stages. Dropsies of the limbs 

 and other dependent parts are also frequent. A painful cough 

 is sometimes though not constantly present throughout the 

 disease. Death may ensue in five days to three weeks, or the 

 disease may become chronic or end in recovery. 



The chronic form is seen in the ox witliout any preceding 

 acute attack. There is slight fever, oppressed breathing, aggra- 

 vated by exertion, -veak, irregular, intermittent pulse, distant 

 heart - sounds, absence of respiratory murmur, dulness on 

 percussion over an increased, cone-like area behind the left 

 elbow, venous pulse, and general dropsy. 



Trcaiincnt. — In the preliminary shivering, treat as for con- 



