PALPITATION. 137 



sional veterinarians might also overlook the cause, unless particu- 

 larly requested to make a most careful examination for a client 

 who did not object to pay a suitable fee for the extra special at- 

 tention such cases demand. Whatever may be the exciting cause 

 of the palpitation, it is characterized by increased frequency in 

 and force of the heart's contractions, at times so tumultuous that 

 it is well-nigh impossible to distinguish the beat; the breathing is 

 urgent, rapid and difficult of performance; the pulse beats are also 

 irregular and sometimes intermittent, by which we mean that a 

 certain number of beats follow on one another with equal rapidity 

 and interval; then a pause takes place, as though the heart had 

 ceased acting, when the beats are renewed again for several times, 

 followed by another pause, and so on. The horse will break out 

 into a cold sweat; stands with forelegs wide apart tottering and 

 shaking as though he would fall; in the worst cases syncope (or 

 a fainting fit) comes on, when those who do not know better, fail 

 to recognize the real cause and attribute it to a form of brain dis- 

 ease known as ''^ staggers." 



Treatment. — Aconite 3X. — No remedy in the Pharmacopoeia 

 exercises so marked an influence on the circulation as Aconite, and 

 in such cases as those where the heart is tired out by excess of 

 work or effort to work, as in palpitation, this remedy is generally 

 capable of producing a restoration to calm and rest; moreover, it 

 is specially indicated if the existing cause is in any measure 

 associated with rheumatism. 



Moschus IX. — In extreme case of palpitation, where the nervous 

 excitement is very considerable and the body becomes cold, this 

 will be found an exceptionally useful remedy. 



Acid hydrocyanicnm 3X may be administered with great advan- 

 tage in cases that do not assume symptoms of an extra acute char- 

 acter; where palpitation is attended with a weak and rather slow 

 pulse, and a tendency to fainting marked by difficult breathing, 

 with an obstinate refusal to take food, this will be found useful. 



Cactus grandijtor-us ix. — This remedy may be styled the analogue 

 of Aconite, and by some authors it is credited with taking the palm 

 over that remedy in diseases of the heart; indeed, there-is hardly 

 any morbid condition affecting the organ that it does not take an 

 active part in ameliorating, from nervous palpitation to obstruct-- 

 ural change arising from acute inflammation; there is one leading 



