DISEASES OP HEART, BLOOD VESSELS, AND LYMPHATICS. 79 



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

 give the following drench every three hours : Spirits of nitrous ether, 

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

 drench. 



In extreme cases tapping the pericardium with a trocar and cannula 

 to draw off the fluid is resorted to, but the operation requires 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 occcurs in 

 limited, circumscribed areas, as evidenced by post-mortem examina- 

 tion, 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. Usually 

 myocarditis results from the preexistence of blood poisoning or some 

 infectious febrile disease. 



Symptoms. — The chief symptoms are those of heart weakness. 

 The heart beat is fast, weak, and often irregular. Respiration is 

 difficult and rapid. There is great general weakness and depression. 

 Death comes on suddenly. 



Treatment. — Treatment consists in supporting the animal by the 

 use of stimulants, such as alcohol, ammonia, coffee, digitalis, cam- 

 phor, etc. Complete quiet must be provided, and the general care 

 should be as in pericarditis. 



EXDOCARDITIS. 



Wlien the membrane which lines the cavities of the heart — the 

 endocardium — suffers inflammation, the disease is called endocarditis. 

 The cause is another disease, during which there is produced and 

 admitted into the circulation substiinces that irritate the lining of the 

 heart. These substances are usually livdng organisms, or it is pos- 

 sible that in some cases they are chemical irritants. Endocarditis 

 occurs as a complication or sequel to pneumonia, blood poisoning, 

 inflammation of the womb, rheumatism, or severe wounds or ab- 

 scesses. The symptoms are much the same as those of pericarditis, 

 and it is difficult to discriminate between the two affections. There 

 is a jugular pulse, the legs may become dropsical, and there is a 

 tendency to faint if the head is elevated suddenly. The bellows-like 

 sound is more distinct than it is in pericarditis. It is the most fatal 

 of heart diseases, because of the liability of the formation of clots, 

 which may adhere to the valves, change in the structure of the valves. 



