DISEASES OF HORSES AND CATTLE. 99 



brane containing the heart is caused by injuries, 

 such as sharp bodies passing from the stomach to 

 the heart. This is a common occurrence to cows in 

 cities from eating slops from the kitchen; expos- 

 ure to colds, and fatigue; certain general diseases 

 of the blood, such as rheumatism, strangles, influ- 

 enza, and from the extension of inflammation of 

 the pleura and lungs. 



Symptoms : The symptoms of this form of heart 

 disease are obscure. The animal will show signs 

 of pain if made to move ; the pulse is fast and small, 

 but hard as if you were pressing your finger on a 

 piece of wire; the breathing may or may not be 

 increased; the animal shows stiffness in moving; 

 and on applying the ear over the region of the heart 

 on the left side we may in some cases hear a rasp- 

 ing sound at each beat of the heart; but this can- 

 not be depended upon, except in some cases. There 

 will be fever, loss of appetite, etc. In the majority 

 of cases all that can be done is to treat the symp- 

 toms. In the early stages, when the pulse is hard 

 and fast, and the animal in good flesh, give from 

 twenty to twenty-five drops of tincture of aconite 

 in a little water every two hours until the pulse 

 becomes softer; also give half an ounce nitrate of 

 potassium in drinking water three times a day; and 

 if the bowels are constipated, give from one and 

 one-half pints to a quart of raw linseed oil. If the 

 animal is in much pain, give one dram of powdered 

 opium in a ball or in gruel three times daily. Some- 

 times there is benefit obtained by applying a blis- 

 ter to the left side. As the disease progresses the 



