92 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



ness of the attack 20 drops of tincture of aconite in a few ounces of 

 water every three or four hours as a drench, or in drinking water, is 

 beneficial, but it is far safer for the nonprofessional to give a half 

 ounce of nitrate of potassium (saltpeter), dissolved in drinking water, 

 four or five times a day. After the attack has abated, mustard mixed 

 with water may be rubbed well over the left side of the chest to stim- 

 ulate the absorption of the fluid contained within the pericardium. The 

 other medicines may be discontinued and the following administered: 

 Sulphate of iron, 2 ounces; powdered gentian, 6 ounces, mix and make 

 eight powders. Give one powder every day at noon; mixed with food, 

 if the animal will eat it, or shaken up with water in a bottle as a drench. 

 Also the following : Iodide of potassium, 2 ounces ; nitrate of potas- 

 sium, 8 oiinces; mix and make sixteen powders. Give one in drinking 

 water, or in drench, every morning and evening. The two last pre 

 scriptions may be continued for several weeks if necessary. 



If at any time during the attack much weakness is manifested, give 

 the following drench every three hours: Spirits of nitrous ether r 3 

 ounces; rectified spirits, 4 ounces ; water, 1 pint; mix, and give as a 

 drench. 



In some cases the fluid within the pericardial sac does not readily 

 undergo absorption. In such cases, in addition to the administration 

 of the iron and iodide of potassium preparations before advised, a blis- 

 ter composed of red iodide of mercury, 2 drams, and lard, 10 drams, 

 well rubbed in over the chest in the region of the heart, may have the 

 desired effect. In extreme cases tapping the pericardium with a trocar 

 and eanula, to draw off the fluid, is resorted to, but the operation re- 

 quires exact anatomical knowledge. 



After death from pericarditis there is always more or less fluid found 

 in the pericardium ; the surfaces are rough and covered with a yellow- 

 colored exudate. There are also, in many cases, adhesions, to a greater 

 or less extent, between the heart and pericardium. 



MYOCARDITIS. 



Inflammation of the muscular structure of the heart occurs in limited, 

 circumscribed areas, as evidenced by post-mortem examination, and it 

 is probably always somewhat involved in connection with pericarditis 

 and endocarditis. It may readily be inferred that if the whole organ 

 were inflamed death would ensue immediately. When it is complicated 

 there are no symptoms by which it may be distinguished from the other 

 affections. Examination after death has revealed abscesses in the walls 

 of the heart, and spots where inflammation had existed. 



ENDOCARDITIS. 



When the membrane which lines the cavities of the heart the endo- 

 cardium suffers inflammation the disease is called endocarditis. When 

 it exists it is usually a complication of rheumatism. The symptoms are 



