364 The Management and Diseases of the Dog. 



to the mitral valve, the latter being much inflamed ; tlie 

 tapering or pointed end was unattached. 



I have endeavoured, by means of the accompanying 

 illustration, to give a more exact idea of the appearance 

 the heart, valve, and clot presented (Fig. 33). 



The specimen was considered by several medical men 

 to whom it was shown to be a very interesting and ex- 

 ceptional one. 



Since writing the above, I have been informed that the 

 dog was stolen in 1876, and nothing was seen or known of 

 his whereabouts for a year, when he unexpectedly returned, 

 and it is supposed by his mistress that during his absence 

 he was roughly used, as his spirit seemed broken, and he 

 had the appearance of being much older than he really 

 was. 



Rupture of the heart, not uncommon in the human sub- 

 ject, and occasionally seen in the horse, is of rare occur- 

 rence in the dog. 



" A black pointer, of the Scotch breed, had every appear- 

 ance of good health, except that she frequently fell into a 

 fit after having rUn a little way, and sometimes even after 

 playing in the yard. She was several times bled during 

 and after these fits. When I examined her, I could plainly 

 perceive considerable, and even violent spasmodic motion 

 of the heart, and the sounds of the beating of that organ 

 were irregular and convulsive. She was sent to the in- 

 firmary, in order to be cured of an attack of mange; but 

 during her stay in the l;iospital she had these fits several 

 times ; the attack almost always followed after she had been 

 playing with other dogs. She appeared as if struck by 

 lightning, and remained niotionless for several minutes, her 

 gums loosing their natural appearance, and assuming a 

 bluish hue. After the lapse of a few miniites she again rose 

 as if nothing had been the matter. She was bled twice in 

 eight days, and several doses of fox-glove were administered 

 to her. The fits appeared to become less frequent ; but. 



