82 DISEASES OF THE HEART 



are indicated. Digitalis fluidextract (0.05-0.15); tinct. 

 strophanthus (0.5-1.5 twice daily); or caffein citrate (0.1-0.2 

 twice daily). By the use of these preparations an effort is 

 made to reestablish a compensatory action, and should this 

 take place the symptoms of edema, ascites, palpitation, etc., 

 will gradually disappear. Should this treatment be unsuc- 

 cessful, a symptomatic treatment may be tried such as the 

 use of diuretics and cathartics to relieve the effusions, and 

 in severe palpitation, sedatives (morphin). In cases of 

 severe weakness, where the pulse is very weak and irregular, 

 direct heart stimulants (camphor, ether, etc.) must be given 

 to afford temporary relief. 



In disturbances of the digestive tract with loss of appetite, 

 tincture of nux vomica (0.2-0.8) or tincture of gentian (1.0- 

 2.0) should be given twice daily to tone the digestive tract. 

 Other symptoms that develop must be treated according to 

 their importance. 



MYOCARDITIS. 



The following forms of myocarditis are observed in small 

 animals: (a) Acute myocarditis, and (b) chronic myocarditis. 



Acute Myocarditis. —Definition. —An acute inflammation 

 of the heart muscle (myocardium). From a pathological 

 standpoint two distinct types of this condition are recog- 

 nized, viz.: The acute parenchymatous and the purulent 

 myocarditis. From a clinical standpoint such a differentia- 

 tion cannot usually be made. Therefore, both will be con- 

 sidered under acute myocarditis. 



Etiology. — (a) From severe exertion, such as hunting dogs 

 on long runs, continuous stud service, hard pulling of draft 

 dogs, etc. 



(b) Exposure to cold, or sudden chilling of the surface of 

 the body, resulting in an unequal distribution of the blood, 

 producing a congestion of the bloodvessels of the heart and 

 occasionally resulting in an inflammatory reaction. 



(c) Secondary to infectious diseases, such as distemper, 

 pyemia, septicemia, tuberculosis, cholera, and entero- 

 hepatitis in fowls, etc. During the course of the infectious 

 diseases toxins are formed and carried by the blood to the 



