200 Diseases of the Organs of Circulation. 



atrophy or wasting, and fatty degeneration, with a peculiar 

 expression of anxiety depicted on the countenance. Such 

 states are but imperfectly made out during life, and admit 

 of no remedy, death usually taking place suddenly. 



Pericarditis. — Inflammation of the pericardium, or 

 covering, or the heart-bag, arises under two conditions, 

 first as an independent affection, and otherwise a compli- 

 cation with rheumatism and enzootic typhoid diseases. 

 The malady is from the first associated with high fever 

 and temperature, quickened respiration and circulation, 

 the pulse being hard, irritable, short, and quick, with 

 fluttering action of the heart. The legs and ears are cold, 

 twitchings and cramps affect the body, friction sounds 

 are heard as the heart beats, but these disappear shortly, 

 as the heart-bag becomes filled with water, a product of 

 the disease. The breathing becomes increasingly diffi- 

 cult, the animal exhibits a tendency to faint when the 

 head is elevated, external dropsy appears, weakness is 

 more confirmed, and death takes place in three or four 

 days. Animals surviving this period usually recover. 



Treatment. — Febrifuges with aconite in decreasing 

 doses of 2 drops, commencing with 10 drops, every eight 

 hours until six doses have been given. Remove consti- 

 pation by moderate aperients and enemas conjointly, and, 

 when the urgent signs are suppressed, continue febrifuges 

 without the aconite. Provide warmth and comfort by 

 suitable clothing and habitations, and, as soon as the 

 pulse gives evidence of being under control, with a reduc- 

 tion of temperature, embrocation No. i may be used to 

 each side of the chest. The absorption of effused fluids 

 maybe promoted by iodine, internally, with diuretics, and 

 the failing strength must be recruited at the proper stage 

 by tonics. Subcutaneous Injections, No. 5. 



Endocarditis. — Inflammation of the lining membrane 

 of the heart occasionally occurs, and is a serious matter. 

 The treatment is similar to that advocated for pericar- 

 ditis, except in respect to aconite, which requires to be 

 cautiously given in doses of 5 drops only, with febri- 

 fuges. In this disease the pulse is liable to exhibit 

 peculiar states of irregularity, which are due to the ex- 



