THE HORSE—THE ORGANS OF CIRCULATION, 97 
proper care, Medicines can be of little avail in correcting the essential 
nature of the ailment, but digitalis may be found serviceable in reducing 
irregular movements of the heart. Give simple but not stimulating food in 
small quantities, and impose only light and slow work, particularly in as- 
cending a hill or any grade. Avoid excitement when possible. 
DILATATION OF THE HEART. 
Dilatation signifies an enlargement of one or more of the cavities of the 
heart. Its causes are a defect of the valves by which the blood is allowed 
to flow back and distend the walls; loss of nervous power; certain types of 
fever which weaken the muscular fibers. 
Symptoms.—The heart’s action is feeble and tremulous; pulse weak, 
soft and small; poor appetite; languor; dizziness; difficult breathing; ears 
and legs cold; finally dropsical swelling of the legs, belly and chest. It 
may exist with enlargement of the heart (see last disease), or with wasting 
of the heart (see the disease next considered ). 
TREATMENT.—This disorder can not be cured, but relief may be given 
by using arsenicum three times a day, and insuring an easy, quiet life. 
WASTING OR ATROPHY OF THE HEART. 
This is an emaciation of the walls of the heart from causes similar to 
those producing dilatation. 
Symptoms.—Feeble impulse of the heart, an unusually loud sound 
being detected by applying the ear to the chest; pulse feeble, slow and in- 
termittent; the veins of the neck pulsate; dullness; fastidious appetite; legs 
cold; dropsical swellings on the limbs, belly and chest; difficult breathing 
on the slightest exercise; sometimes palpitation or fluttering of the heart. 
TREATMENT.—Arsenicum three times a day will afford a partial re- 
lief, though no known remedy is of permanent avail. Insure ease and quiet. 
INFLAMMATION OF THE VEINS. 
This is rare, excepting in case of some injury, as that caused by care- 
less bleeding, especially with rusty instruments. 
Symptoms.—The incision for bleeding or other purpose is surrounded 
by a swelling, small at first but increasing, hot and painful; the lips of the 
wound separate, the wound itself being red and moistened with a burning, 
very irritable, pussy substance; matter may form externally and the dis- 
order soon pass away. Usually, however, the swelling increases; the vein 
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