THE HORSE, ITS DISEASES. S9l 



cannot act. Here bleeding would seem to be indicated. Yet it Is better 

 unless in the case of life or death, that it be not resorted to, except 

 Mnder the advice of a competent veterinarian or physician. 



IV. Enlargement of the Heart. 



H}'pertrophy or enlargement of the heart is an increase of its muscular 

 substance and may be confined to one side or one ventricle. Sometimes 

 disease of the valves leads to enlargement much beyond its usual size. 

 Enlargement of the heart also accompanies broken wind and other im- 

 pediments to the free action of the lungs and breathing tubes. 



Causes. — Long continued hard work ; chronic indigestion, or some 

 obstruction to the circulation. 



How to know it. — There is palpitation, the beats forcible and prolonged, 

 the intervals of silence shortened. The first sound is low, muflied and 

 prolonged, the second loud, and if only one ventricle is affected some- 

 times repeated. The pulse is as a rule regular, except under excitement 

 of the animal, and, the excitement removed, soon returns to its usual 

 state. The breathing is often hurried, and exertion increases the general 

 fsymptoms in a marked manner. 



What to do. — Simple hypertrophy is seldom the cause of imminent 

 danger. It is not unusual for horses with an enlargement of the heart 

 to do steady, slow, moderate work, and live to be old. If there is 

 dilatation, weakness, blowing murmurs with the first heart sound, spells 

 of oppressed and difficult breathing, if the nasal and other visible mucous 

 membranes are livid, there is danger of sudden death at anytime. 



Keep the animal quiet, and at only slow, moderate labor ; never over^ 

 load or put him to speed. Let the diet be of good, easily digested food ; 

 never allow the stomach to become overloaded. Give twice a day from 

 20 to 30 drops tincture of aconite root as the case may need. If there is 

 broken wind or other serious impediment to breathing, 3 to 4 grains of 

 arsenic in the food has been found useful. If the case, however, be of 

 long standing, or due to permanent obstruction, treatment must be simplj 

 silleviation. The case will eventually end in death. 



v. Patty Degeneration of the Heart. 



This disease is occasioned by a change of the muscular substance of 

 the heart to a fatty state, by which the organ is weakened, at length lead- 

 ing to rupture of its tissues. It is not uncommon in high-bred stock, 

 including cattle and swine. 



