408 FOKEIGN BODIES INJUKING THE HEART. 



relieving the pulmonary symptoms, but then the signs of 

 heart disease became evident, and the patient gradually sank. 



In the fourth case, there were also two canals, one in the 

 muscular part of the diaphragm, and the other in its ten- 

 dinous portion, the latter opening into the stomach and peri- 

 cardium : the agent being a large copper pin, had given to 

 both a green hue. 



That such lesions have only been observed in ruminants, 

 M. Boizy ascribes to the manner in which they first swallow 

 their food in large pellets, and almost unmasticated, as well 

 as to their being generally attended to by females from whose 

 dresses such agents get mixed with their food. This is also 

 partly dependent on their proper constitutions, the malady 

 always assuming a chronic form, three or four months pro- 

 bably passing after the swallowing of the agent ere any 

 symptoms are seen. No signs of its presence being exhibited 

 so long as it remains in the digestive cavity, nor even in its 

 course to the heart, until its presence materially interferes 

 with the functions of that organ; whereas, were such an 

 agent to penetrate the chest in the horse, an acute pleuro- 

 pneumonia would in all probability result, which would in a 

 few days destroy the animal. 



In remarking on the peculiarity of the foreign agent always 

 directing its course toward the central organ of circulation, 

 as it did five times in the second, and twice in the fourth 

 case, M. Boizy is inclined to attribute it to the action of the 

 diaphragm and the motion of the heart, together with the 

 relation between the reticulum and these organs. 



Our author next endeavours to throw some light on the 

 very important subject of the diagnostic symptoms which 

 distinguish simple pericarditis from that caused by the 

 presence of a foreign body. The small pulse, full jugulars, 

 venous pulsation, and oedema of the dewlap, are symptoms 



