54 DISEASES OF SWINE 



When acute heart-diseases occur as a complica- 

 tion of some other disease, the treatment should be 

 directed at the primary ailment and the above used 

 in addition to it. 



FATTY DEGENERATION OF THE HEART 



Causes. — Fatty degeneration of the heart is 

 brought on by overfeeding and lack of exercise. Fat 

 accumulates in masses around the heart and in the 

 muscular tissue, replacing tq some extent the latter, 

 and the ability of this organ to do the required work 

 is either hindered or destroyed. 



Symptoms. — The animal is generally very fat aftd 

 unfit for any kind of exercise, and may die suddenly 

 if this is attempted. About the only symptoms 

 noticeable are difficult breathing and irregular, weak 

 heart action. Palpitation may also occur. 



Treatment. — The treatment is wholly preventive, 

 and consists in avoiding such conditions as may 

 cause the disease. To sustain the heart action, 

 heart tonics and stimulants, such as nitroglycerin, 

 digatalin, and digitalis can be used. The fatty con- 

 dition of the body should be reduced by dieting the 

 animal. 



SPASM OF THE DIAPHRAM— THUMPS— PALPI- 

 TATION 



True palpitation is a convulsive, violent beating of 

 the heart, often not connected with any structural dis- 

 ease of the organ. It sets in suddenly, the heart sounds 

 are louder than normal, and the shock of the beats 



