120 CARDITIS. 



It is recognized by a quickness and strength of 

 pulse, referable not to any general affection, but to 

 the heart. Not only by applying the hand or the ear 

 to the side is its violent action ascertained; but the 

 pulse is seen to beat in places where during health it 

 cannot be detected. If the left side of the horse is 

 regarded with attention, the chest evidently vibrates ; 

 nay, the pulsations are also to be heard ; they are heard 

 as soon as the practitioner, if he listens attentively, 

 enters the stable; and sometimes they are so audible 

 as to force themselves on the observation of those who 

 stand outside the building. At the same time there 

 is an unnatural fire, a peculiarly haggard expression 

 in the countenance of the horse during this disease. 



The real character of the disease being understood, 

 there can be no doubt as to the treatment that should 

 be pursued. The horse must be bled. The morbid 

 excitement of disease must be lowered, by taking 

 away some of the stimulus which feeds it. There 

 must be no delay about this ; for, if an organ that is 

 always at work is over-excited, and called upon to 

 perform double labour, it will necessarily quickly be 

 exhausted. 



The bleeding should be closely followed up by 

 laxative medicine; linseed oil being the safest, of 

 which two pints may be given. Sedatives should 

 quickly succeed, particularly powdered aconite root 

 in doses of two drachms each : while all food should 

 be removed, or, at most, mashes only be allowed. 



Although a violent disease, it usually yields very 

 readily to this prompt treatment. 



Inflammation or over-action of the heart itself has 



