DILATATION OF THE HEAET. 369 



In one, the owner had observed a " trickling of the blood in 

 the veins of the neck" venous pulse. In another two, 

 fainting fits in rapid succession following a partial attack 

 whilst the horse was in harness, led to iny being consulted. 

 In the third I was called after the animal had had " a fit of 

 staggers!' 



4thly, In all three cases the animals had been treated for 

 supposed disorders of the lungs, though no cough or other 

 symptoms except those above-noticed had been observed. 



5thly, I found no difficulty in diagnosing either of the 

 cases, notwithstanding that the true nature of the disease had 

 not been recognised during the many weeks that the animals 

 had been under treatment. The symptoms were : Small, 

 feeble, irregular pulse; in one case indistinct at the jaw. 

 Marked venous pulse, especially after a little exertion. Cold- 

 ness of the extremities, especially of the hind ones, which had 

 a tendency to oedema. In two cases the disease had so far 

 advanced, that shortly after my seeing them, oedema set in 

 below the chest and belly. Heart's action embarrassed, and 

 impulse tremulous. Sounds not much altered, but the first 

 somewhat modified. 



6thly, Results. The chestnut mare I purchased to show 

 the case to my class, and dissect the animal ; but as the 

 malady had not advanced very far, we tested the effect of a 

 little slow work, and she was used for a few days in a light 

 cart. The individual who undertook to drive her for me 

 was so pleased with the mare that, in the presence of my stu- 

 dents, he offered me 1 6 for her. I assured him that she 

 would drop down and die some early day, and probably when 

 at work. I moreover told him that the animal must be 

 dissected. On the next day, at about one o'clock P.M., I was 

 suddenly called to perform the post-mortem examination. 

 The mare had been put in harness and walked up a sonie- 



2 B 



