212 BOVINE PATHOLOGY. 



sometimes undergo calcareous and fatty degeneration. 

 The arterial valves, but much more frequently the auriculo- 

 ventricular, are the most important seat of deposit. Some- 

 times ulceration of the valves occurs, and they are per- 

 forated. These changes almost always result from 

 rheumatic disorder. Sometimes post mortem no deposi- 

 tions are found, simply reddening of the lining membrane 

 of the heart, and sometimes ecchymosis. 



Symptoms. — With the general symptoms of disorder 

 and acute febrile disturbance are associated the pecu- 

 liar rushing sound known as the ^^ bellows murmur,^^ 

 which varies according to the parts affected. "A bel- 

 lows murmur with the first sound indicates mitral in- 

 sufficiency, stricture of the aortic orifice, disease of the 

 aortic valves, or deposits on the ventricular surface of 

 the mitral valves; or it may depend upon an altered 

 condition of the blood itself, as in anaemia, in which 

 case it resembles a churning sound, heard also in the 

 large arteries and veins. A bellows murmur with the 

 second sound indicates aortic insufficiency, roughened 

 auricular surface of the mitral valves, or mitral obstruc- 

 tion'^ (Williams) . The pulse is intermittent and irregular, 

 " a rapid but violent tremor,'^ and does not correspond to 

 the cardiac impulse. The venous pulse is present. Some- 

 times endocardial growths develop gradually, and do not 

 materially affect the patient, until sudden death occurs, 

 and the slaughter-house furnishes us with specimens from 

 animals to all appearance in a good state of general health. 



Treatment. — In a chronic case the animal should be 

 fattened for the butcher, but in an acute inflammatory 

 attack such measures may be adopted as are suggested for 

 pericarditis. External stimulation, say some authorities, 

 should never amount to vesication, for the inflammation 

 thus excited would tend to increase the already excessive 

 amount of fibrin in the blood ; but it must be remembered 

 that inflammatory blood coagulates more slowly than 

 healthy. Salines, especially such as are useful in rheu- 

 matism, should be administered. Aconite may be used to 

 counteract the excessive sympathetic fever. 



