J6 THE VETERINARY DOCTOR. 
Sympioms.—The heart contracts energetically with vibrations, and 
often irregularly; pulse irregular, frequently intermittent, and is /eedZe, in 
striking contrast with the violent beats of the heart; a bellows-sound or saw- 
ing noise. In early stages the breathing is not so difficult as in dropsy ot 
the heart, but may grow very distressing if the valves of the heart become 
thickened; legs generally cold; the membrane is thickened, wholly or in 
part, sometimes resulting in a polypus of great size. 
TREATMENT.—For the primary symptoms aconite is the best remedy, 
especially in rheumatic forms, and if given in time may effect a favorable 
termination in many cases. It is desirable for palpitation and irregular action 
of the heart and for difficult breathing. Give it every hour. Give arseni- 
cum and digitalis in alternation, four or five doses of each in twenty-four 
hours, if the pulse becomes feeble and intermittent. Most cases have their 
origin in a rheumatic condition which calls for colchicum and iodide of 
potassa. After the inflammatory symptoms have subsided the following 
prescription will be found of value: 
Wine of colchicum seeds. I ounce. 
Todide of potassa, lg ounce. 
Digitalis tincture, I ounce. 
Water, I pint. 
Mix. Give a half-wineglassful three or four times a day. 
ENLARGEMENT OR HYPERTROPHY OF THE HEART. 
This is a thickening of a part, less frequently the whole, of the walls 
of the heart. It is often found in broken-winded horses. Some of the 
causes are contraction of the vessels and the openings of the cavities of the 
heart, or deposits on the valves which lead to excessive action of the heart 
to overcome the obstructions, thus enlarging the muscles of the heart’s 
walls; tumor in the aorta, or pulmonary artery; exhaustion from excessive 
exertion, especially from arduous labor with full stomachs. It also results 
from other diseases, especially affections of the lungs. 
Symptoms.—The movement of the heart becomes and continues strong 
and impulsive, with an intense sound and loud, thumping, hollow beat; irreg- 
ularity of heart-action; dull sound on striking a part near the heart; pal- 
pitation comes on from quick work, accompanied with an anxious look of 
the eye; cold ears and legs; dizziness; difficult breathing; languor; loss of 
appetite; in late stages, dropsical swellings on the chest, abdomen and legs. 
TREATMENT.—This is incurable, but the life of the horse may be ex- 
tended for years, even to old age. Yet this end can be attained only by 
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