94 THE VETERINARY DOCTOR. 
The Second Form.—This is often improperly called spasm of the dia- 
phragm, which is really hiccough and is elsewhere considered. The second 
form of palpitation, also called “thumps,” is caused by excessive action of the 
heart incident to a hard or exciting run, which causes a jerking of the whole 
body as the heart strikes the region toward the upper part of the false ribs. 
The symptoms of the first form of palpitation, as noted above, attend this, 
together with a violent raising of the flanks which proves unpleasant to a 
tider. The symptoms come and go suddenly. As an aid in distinguishing 
this form of palpitation from true spasm of the diaphragm, or hiccough, the 
reader is referred to the subjoined parallel tables of symptoms. 
PALPITATION OR THUMPS. SPASM OF THE DIAPHRAGM. 
fliccough is seldom present. Hiccough is always present. 
The action of the abdominal muscles is 
increased, and the heaving of the flanks is 
quite visible. 
The action of the abdominal muscles at 
the flank is imperceptible. 
There is great fullness in the flanks from 
the abdominal viscera being pushed back- 
ward. 
The flanks are tucked-up. 
TREATMENT.—Digitalis is valuable for great irregularity of the heart’s 
action, inability to lie down or walk, and much distress, a half-teaspoonful 
to a teaspoonful two or three times a day being suitable as the dose. 
Stannum has alone cured this form of palpitation. Observe the same gen- 
eral care as was outlined above for the first form. 
DROPSY OF THE HEART. 
This is the result of an inflammation of the serous membrane which 
envelops the heart as a sac, causing serous fluid to be deposited within this 
membrane in unnaturally large quantities. It may result from exposure to 
cold, damp, changes of temperature; from those conditions which produce 
acute diseases of the breathing organs; from changes to a hot stable from 
the field; from a sudden transition from poor to rich and heating food. It 
however generally comes along with influenza, rheumatism or pleurisy. 
Symptoms.—These are easily confounded with those of pleurisy. The 
horse stands still, with anxious face and lowered head, showing signs of 
great pain; fixed eyes; extended nostrils; pulse 100 to 120, wiry, perhaps 
irregular or intermittent; great fever; breathing 30 to 4o per minute, diffi- 
cult, with complicated movement of flanks, much like that in broken wind; 
in early stages pressure in the region of the heart causes flinching and signs 
of pain; the ear placed in the same region perhaps detects friction-sounds; 
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