iq8 Diseases of the Organs of Circulation. 



over-exertion in weak and exhausted animals. An 

 unusual violent sound, best described as "thumping," in 

 the region of the chest, not associated or contemporaneous 

 with the pulsations of the heart. It creates alarm, or at 

 least discomposure, in many animals, as it must interfere 

 seriously with the circulation. The spasms occasion 

 alternate tightening and relaxation of the musculo-mem- 

 branous partition which divides the chest from the abdo- 

 men. It is best counteracted by diffusible stimulants, as 

 nitrous, sulphuric, or chloric ether, with perfect rest and 

 quiet. The working condition of the animal should be 

 fairly considered, and, perhaps, overdriving will be dis- 

 covered as one cause ; the other may rest in the food, 

 which is probably deficient in albuminoids. 



Rupture of the Diaphragm is common among 

 draught-horses subjected to heavy work on inferior roads 

 after heavy feeding. We have seen many cases among 

 the horses of builders employed in drawing bricks, rub- 

 bish, &c, over the unmade roads common to brickyards 

 and the vicinity of large buildings. With the advent of 

 steam machinery such work is now reduced, and con- 

 fined to smaller areas. Immediate death follows the 

 accident. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 



DISEASES OF THE ORGANS OF CIRCULA- 

 TION. 



Palpitation — Rupture of the Heart — Cyanosis, or Blue Disease — Carditis — 

 Pericarditis — Endocarditis — Embolism, and Diseases of the Valves of the 

 Heart — Aneurism — Phlebitis — Megrims — Lymphangitis. 



Palpitation. — We have already noticed the existence 

 of strange sounds in connection with anaemia — the blood- 

 less state. Such are the common results of irregular and 

 intermittent actions of the heart, accompanied with heart- 



