80 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



Clots may be formed in the heart, and, being carried to other parts, 

 prove fatal by interrupting the circulation in some vital organ. 



Treatment similar to that advised for myocarditis may be followed 

 in this disease. 



VALVES OF THE HEART. 



The valves are subject to abnormal growths and structural changes 

 in chronic endocarditis or as a result of acute endocarditis. Some- 

 times valves are torn by sudden, extreme muscular effort or a con- 

 genital abnormality. Cases are also reported in which they have 

 been found ruptured. 



Symptoms. — The general symptoms are those of heart weakness, 

 accompanied with edema and congestion of the lungs. 



Treatment. — Relief is sometimes afforded, but usually only tempo- 

 rarily'^, by the use of stimulants, especially digitalis. 



RUPTURE OF THE HEART. 



Sudden effort, blows, or disease may lead to rupture of the heart of 

 the ox. The first cause does not operate so often in cattle as in horses. 

 Tuberculosis or ulceration from other causes, such as a foreign body, 

 is the most common source of this accident. Rupture is shown by 

 sudden fainting, followed very shortly by death. 



HYPERTROPHY AND DILATATION OF THE HEART. 



This is an enlargement of the heart, and may consist of the thick- 

 ening of the walls alone, or at the same time the cavities may be 

 either enlarged or diminished. Dilatation of the cavities has been 

 noticed as existing independently of thickened walls. In hyper- 

 trophy the sounds of the heart are loud and pronounced, may be 

 heard on both sides of the chest distinctly, and palpitation occurs 

 to a greater or less extent. Fortunately both conditions are very rare 

 in cattle. 



ATROPHY. 



Atrophy is the technical term for wasting of the muscular tissue. 

 Atrophy of the heart is very rare among cattle, and is usually a 

 result of other diseases. 



FATTY DEGENERATION OF THE HEART. 



This condition of the heart is met with in some very fat cattle, 

 but it must be understood that the accumulation of fat around the 

 heart is not referred to by this designation. In fatty degenera- 

 tion the elements of the muscular tissue are replaced by fatty or oily 

 granules. The muscle becomes weak, the heart contractions are 

 insufficient, and heart weakness is shown by general weakness, short- 

 ness of breath, and weak, rapid pulse. 



