240 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



Treatment. — Confinement in feed to oats, wheat or rye bran, and 

 timothy hay. Twenty drops of sulphuric acid may be given in drink- 

 ing water three times a day, and hypophosphite of iron in 2-dram 

 doses, mixed with the feed, twice a day. Other tonics and stimulants 

 as they may be indicated. 



RUPTURE OF THE HEART. 



This may occur as the result of some previous disease, such as 

 fatty degeneration, dilatation with weakness of the muscular walls, 

 etc. It may be caused by external violence, a crushing fall, pres- 

 sure of some great weight, etc. Usually death follows a rupture 

 very quickly, though an animal may live for some time when the 

 rent is not very large. 



WEAKNESS OF THE HEART. 



This ma}^ arise from general debility, the result of exhausting dis- 

 ease, overwork, or heart strain, or loss of blood. It is indicated by 

 a small, feeble, but generally regular pulse, coldness of the body, etc. 



TreatTnent. — This should be directed to support and increase the 

 strength of the animal by tonics, rest, and nutritious food. Car- 

 bonate of ammonia may be given to stimulate the heart's action and 

 to prevent the formation of heart clot. 



CONGESTION OF THE HEART. 



Congestion, or an accumulation of the blood in the cavities of the 

 heart, may occur in consequence of fibrinous deposits interfering with 

 the free movements of the valves, usually the product of endocar- 

 ditis or as a result of excessive muscular exertion. 



Symptoms. — Great difficulty of breathing, paleness of the visible 

 mucous membranes, great anxiety, frequently accompanied by a gen- 

 eral tremor and cold perspiration, followed by death. It usually 

 results in death very quickly. 



CYANOSIS OF NEWBORN FOALS. 



This is a condition sometimes found in foals immediately after 

 birth, and is due to nonclosure of the foram^en ovale., which allows a 

 mixture of the venous with the arterial blood in the left cavities of the 

 heart. It is characterized by a dark purple or bluish color of the 

 visible mucous membranes, shortness of breath, and general feeble- 

 ness. Foals thus affected generally live only a few hours after birth. 



DISEASES OF ARTERIES, OR ARTERITIS AND ENDARTERITIS. 



Inflammation of arteries is rarely observed in the horse as a pri- 

 mary affection. Direct injuries, such as blows, may produce a con- 

 tusion and subsequent inflammation of the wall of an artery ; severe 

 muscular strain may involve an arterial trunk; hypertrophy of the 

 heart, by increasing arterial tension, may result in the production of 

 a general endarteritis. Septic infection may affect the inner coat 



