96 THE HORSE. 



or heart strain, influenza, rheumatism, etc. Since it is not recognized 

 unless involved with one or the other of the above mentioned diseases, 

 and the symptoms and treatment are so closely connected with those 

 diseases, it will suffice to describe them under those ailments. 



Endocarditis. This is an inflammation of the serous membrane 

 lining the heart. It is often found in general rheumatism which involves 

 the serous membrane. 



Symptoms. The most prominent symptoms which characterize this 

 disease are a staggering gait with painful movement of the fore-legs; a 

 constant irregularity of the heart's action; but there will be equality of 

 strength regardless of the rapidity of the beating of the heart. In the 

 chronic form there is generally a persistent palpitation with irregularity 

 of the rapidity of the heart beats. This disease may be ushered in by a 

 chill, with sudden and marked rise in temperature. The pulse rapidly 

 decreases in strength or may become irregular, while the heart beats 

 more or less tumultuously. In early stages soft blowing sounds may be 

 heard by placing the ear over the heart on the left side, which corres- 

 pond in number and time to the heart's beating. In nearly all 

 cases there is partial suppression of the urine. In fatal cases death often 

 occurs about the fourth or fifth day. 



What to Do. The most reliable medicine known to control the ir- 

 ritability of the heart, is the tincture of digitalis in twenty-drop doses, 

 repeated every hour. After the desired action upon the heart is obtained 

 the dose may be repeated every two or three hours, or as the case re- 

 quires. Fluid extract of convallaria majalis, in two-dram doses, will 

 quiet the tumultuous action of the heart where digitalis fails. Avoid 

 bleeding; cold applications around the chest or over the heart; blistering; 

 and stimulating applications to the chest. Chlorate of potash, in two- 

 dram doses given in drinking water every four hours for the first five or 

 six days, and followed by the nitrate of potassium, in half-ounce doses 

 for a week, or until the urine becomes very profuse. Where rheuma- 

 tism is present give two-dram doses of salicylate of soda instead of the 

 chlorate of potash. Iodide of potassium in one-dram or two-dram doses 

 should be given early in the disease, and may be repeated two or three 

 times a day for several weeks. 



Absolute rest and warm stabling, with comfortable clothing, are 

 necessary. 



Pericarditis. This is an inflammation of the sac into which the 

 heart is enclosed. It may be caused by cold and damp stabling, expos- 



