PERIOAUDITIS, 391 



functions of this all-important organ; but it would seem that 

 the progress of disease had been most insidious." 



I shall have to allude further on to cases in which sharp- 

 pointed objects injure the pericardium and heart, but an 

 instance, published by Mr Litt of Shrewsbury, in the Veteri- 

 nary Record for 1845, merits being reprinted here. He says: 

 "On the 21st ult. I was called upon to visit a yearling 

 bullock that had on the previous day evinced, for the first 

 time, symptoms of illness. The animal, which was in good 

 condition, obstinately refused his food, and looked slightly 

 dejected; but, beyond this, and a slight degree of constipa- 

 tion of the bowels, there was nothing to distinguish his case 

 from one of ordinary fever, with the exception of the peculiar 

 state of his pulse, which was exceedingly full and rapid, 

 something like 140 per minute; indeed, the pulsations were 

 so quick, that, notwithstanding their full and distinct charac- 

 ter, I had much difficulty in counting them. This circum- 

 stance, and the peculiar sound perceptible on auscultation at 

 the sides, led me to the supposition of extensive disease of 

 the heart, but of what particular character I was at a loss to 

 determine. Having stated thus much to my employer, and 

 further given an unfavourable prognosis, I set about the 

 treatment as follows: I commenced by the abstraction of 

 blood to the amount of about eight pounds, and administered 

 a strong purgative drench, which, having operated freely in 

 the course of the night, seemed to afford considerable relief, 

 for on the 22nd he was decidedly better, and ate tolerably 

 well, although there was but little alteration in the state of 

 his pulse. I ordered him to have the following drench night 

 and morning : 



$ Ext. bellad. 



Ant. pot. tart. . . a a 3j. 



Potass, nitrat. . 3vj. 



Magnes. sulph. . . i v - ^- 



