396 ENDOCAEDITIS. 



between the violent heart-beats and the smallness of the 

 pulse : Leblanc says that this sign is very important in dis- 

 tinguishing endocarditis from pericarditis. This author 

 notices specially a loud metallic tinkling in connection with 

 endocarditis, as well as a bruit de souffle or bellows-murmur. 

 A marked venous pulse is seen in this disease, as much as in 

 other acute cardiac affections, interfering with the efficiency of 

 the auriculo-ventricular valves. In the early stages of endo- 

 carditis the breathing is not very laboured; but if the valves 

 become much impaired, the dyspnoea is very severe. The 

 usual result of a violent attack of endocarditis is shrinking 

 of, and the formation of vegetations on, the auriculo-ventri- 

 cular valves, with narrowing of the openings with which 

 these valves are connected. Sometimes the whole of the 

 endocardium is thickened, and the seat of deposit In and 

 beneath its structure, as seen in Pig. 119. At other time? 

 the inflammation is limited to a part where false membranes 

 and pus may form. It is to endocarditis that we may trace 

 some of the enormous cardiac polypi which I have described 

 in the chapter preceding this one. A remarkable case is 

 recorded by Mr Gowing, in the Veterinary Record for 1 848. 

 He says : 



" Unfortunately, the history of the first case is brief, as I 

 was not called professionally to^attend it. All I could gather 

 from the proprietor was, that the animal had been purchased 

 by him about five months since. She was of the short-horn 

 breed, and had calved a few days previous to purchase. 

 "When in possession of her owner three or four days, the milk 

 was perceived to assume a peculiar red appearance, as if 

 blood had been mingled with it ; and this continued till the 

 animal died. At this time she fed well, and was improving 

 in condition, and it was anticipated the milk would resume 

 its natural state, and likewise increase in quantity; instead 



