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the effusion is rapid and excessive, the animal may die in a few days, 

 or recovery may begin equally as early. In subacute or in chronic 

 cases the effusion may slowly become augmented until the pressure 

 upon the lungs and interference with the circulation become so great 

 that death will result. Whether the attack is acute, subacute, or 

 chronic, the characteristic symptoms which will guide us to a correct 

 diagnosis are the to-and-fro friction sound, whicli is always synchro- 

 nous with the heart's action, the high temperature with hard, irritable 

 pulse, and in cases of pericardial effusion the increased area of dull- 

 ness over the cardiac region. When the disease is associated with 

 influenza or rheumatism some of the sj'mptoms may be obscure, but 

 a careful examination will reveal sufficient upon which to base a diag- 

 nosis. When pericarditis develoi)s as a result of or in connection with 

 pleuritis, the distinction may not be very clearly definable, neither will 

 manj^ recover. When it results from a wound or broken rib it almost 

 invariabl}' proves fatal. 



Pathology. — Pericarditis may at all times be regarded as a very seri- 

 ous affection. At first we will find an intense injection or accumula- 

 tion of blood in the vessels of the pericardium, giving it a red and 

 swollen appearance, during which we have the friction sound. In 

 twentj'-four or forty-eight hours this engorgement is followed b}^ an 

 exudation of sero-fibrinous fluid, the fibrinous jiortion of which may 

 soon form a coating over the internal surface of the pericardial sac, 

 and may ultimately form a union of the opposing surfaces. Generally 

 this adhesion will only be found to occuj)y a i^ortion of the surfaces. 

 As the serous or watery portion of this effusion is absorbed, the dis- 

 tinctness of the friction sound recurs, and may remain perceptible in 

 varied degree for a long time. When the serous effusion is very great, 

 the i^ressure exerted upon the heart Aveakens its action, and may pro- 

 duce death soon; when it is not so great, it may cause dropsies of other 

 portions of the body. When the adhesions of the pericardial sac to 

 the body of the heart are extensive, they generally lead to increased 

 growth or hj'pertrophy of the heart, witli or without dilatation of its 

 cavities; when they are but slight, tliey may not cause any incon- 

 venience. 



Treatment. — In acute or subacute pericarditis the tincture of digi- 

 talis and tincture of aconite root may be mixed, taking equal quanti- 

 ties, and give 20 to 30 drop doses every hour until the pulse and 

 temi^crature become reduced. Bandages should be applied to the legs; 

 if they are verj- cold, tincture of capsicum should be first applied; the 

 bodj^ should be warmly clothed in blankets, to xiromote perspiration. 

 When the suffering from pain is very severe, 2 ounces of tincture of 

 opium ma}' bo given once or twice a day; nitrate of potassa, half an 

 ounce, in drinking water, every six hours; after the third day, iodide 

 of potassa, in 2-dram doses, may be substituted. Hot packs to the 

 vhest in the early stages of the disease may give marked relief, or 



