PEHICARDITIS. 393 



was, that some time, probably months ago, the side had been 

 punctured by some sharp instrument, and the heart wounded 

 to the extent shown, and that the efforts of nature had never 

 been sufficient to close and heal up the injury: unhealthy 

 inflammation was the consequence, and the result of all, the 

 mass of disease I have attempted to describe. The case is 

 also interesting as being another proof how long the most 

 serious disease of a most important organ may be going on 

 without in any way interfering with an animal's apparent 

 well-doing a circumstance of great importance to the veteri- 

 nary surgeon." 



Leblanc has described with great precision the lesions of 

 pericarditis, the congestion characteristic of the early stages, 

 the opacity of the serous membrane, its thickening, and the 

 formation of false membranes. The two surfaces of this 

 serous membrane may adhere throughout their whole extent, 

 and the heart's action be permanently impaired. 



Treatment. Pericarditis is not an incurable disease. It 

 is often fatal in a very short time, not lasting more than from 

 five to eight days, but many cases recover. The metnod of 

 treatment varies according to the circumstances under which 

 it is developed. It may be necessary to treat an animal for 

 an attack of rheumatism or influenza, of which the pericarditis 

 is but a complication. If developed as a specific disease, 

 active antiphlogistic measures must be adopted' at first. 

 Bleeding may be resorted to in the earliest stage, though its 

 importance is not, in my estimation, so great as the admin- 

 istration of an active cathartic. A large mustard poultice 

 may be applied on the chest, and salines administered at 

 intervals. Sedatives have been strongly recommended, and, 

 amongst others, digitalis. The following prescription is 

 one amongst many forms in which this remedy has been 

 administered : 



