HYDROPERICARDIUM 75 



hemorrhage. The patient may also die from the attending 

 sapremia. Occasionally cases occur in which great improve- 

 ment in the condition is noted, the patient gaining in flesh, 

 appetite, and strength. Usually, however, the improvement 

 is only temporary. Rarer still are those instances where a 

 spontaneous recovery follows the escape of the foreign 

 body through an abscess to the outside world. 



Diagnosis. — ^While in typical and advanced cases the diag- 

 nosis is easy, traumatic pericarditis in the earlier stage may 

 be exceedingly difficult to recognize. Eber recommends, 

 where the condition is suspected and fever exists, to give 

 acetanilid (Biij) dailj'. This reduces the temperature but 

 not the pulse, which remains high (100 to 120) if pericar- 

 ditis is present. In doubtful cases an explorative puncture 

 of the pericardium will determine the presence of fluid. 



Treatment. — As nearly all cases are fatal, the immediate 

 slaughter of the animal is recommended. In very valuable 

 pregnant animals an effort to prolong life may be made by 

 the use of such drugs as digitalis (Bss); cafPein (5j), or oil 

 camphor (§j) subcutaneously. Stimulants (alcohol and 

 ether) are also in order. In Europe puncturing the peri- 

 cardium with a trocar has been employed. 



HYDROPERICARDIUM. 



Definition. — ^A filling of the heart sac with transudate not 

 due to a pericarditis. 



Etiology. — Usually is associated with hydrothorax, ascites, 

 and anasarca. It may be secondary to chronic heart, lung, 

 liver, and kidney diseases, or diseases of the blood, as 

 hydremia, anemia, the cachexia of chronic parasitism, and 

 the last stages of chronic infectious diseases (glanders, 

 tuberculosis). 



Symptoms.— First, those of the primary disease followed 

 by general dropsy which involves the heart sac. The 

 area of cardiac dulness is enlarged, heart tones weak, pulse 

 weak, edema of the skin, dyspnea, and albuminuria. 



Diagnosis. — Similar to acute pericarditis except that acute 

 inflammatory symptoms (fever, pain, etc.) fail. 



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