PERICARDITIS. 69 
certainly the heart is no exception. A small amount of infiltration may not have 
serious effect; but beyond limits, reached when the subject is much over-weight 
and the change has long existed, the heart is very liable to give way if any un- 
usual and excessive demand is made upon it, as when a dog is forced to follow 
for considerable distance a rapidly moving team. 
Fatty degeneration may occur previous to middle life, but until then it is 
rarely of import so serious that sudden death is liable to occur from failure of 
the heart or rupture of its walls under intense strain. 
Occurring in early life and with general obesity, the fat can be withdrawn 
from the heart and its ill effects largely obviated, provided it has not been very 
long there. The essential treatment is the same as that demanded in obesity, 
exercise being carefully adjusted during its application. 
PALPITATION OF THE HEART. 
In some breews oftener than in others, and especially in dogs that have been 
much inbred, the heart beats much more rapidly and violently under exercise 
than it ought, considering the exertion and excitement. Oftentimes also in 
such subjects there is rapid heart action without apparent cause. This condi- 
tion existing in the absence of disease of the heart, the trouble is a functional 
disturbance merely, which in mankind is termed palpitation. 
Dogs exhibiting it are, as a rule, excessively nervous and easily thrown into 
convulsions. It is therefore advisable to manage such differently than others 
not similarly affected. There is always a danger of allowing them too much 
meat, and the quantity should be carefully restricted, while vegetables and 
starchy food should be largely relied upon. Manifesting as they do a general 
tendency to immoderation, in the matter of exercise especially they should be 
under wholesome restraint. 
While medicines may not appear necessary, cod-liver oil, one of the best 
nerve-foods, can always be wisely given for several weeks; and under its use 
the subjects are quite sure to “steady down” somewhat, and greatly improve 
generally. 
PERICARDITIS. 
While inflammation of the pericardium generally occurs with acute rheuma- 
tism, it may result from cold, injury to the chest, — as from a kick or blow,— or 
arise as a complication of any severe infectious or inflammatory attack, espe- 
cially pleuritis and pleuro-pneumonia. 
