78 DISEASES OP CATTLE. 



and it is probably always somewhat involved in connection with peri- 

 carditis and endocarditis. It may readily be inferred that if the 

 whole organ were inflamed death would ensue immediately. Usually 

 myocarditis results from the preexistence of blood poisoning or some 

 infectious febrile disease. 



Symptoms. — The chief symptoms are those of heart weakness. The 

 heart beat is fast, weak, and often irregular. Respiration is difficult 

 and rapid. There is great general weakness and depression. Death 

 comes on suddenly. 



Treatment. — Treatment consists in supporting the animal by the 

 use of stimulants, such as alcohol, ammonia, coffee, digitalis, camphor, 

 etc. Complete quiet must be provided, and the general care should 

 be as in pericarditis. 



ENDOCARDITIS. 



When the membrane which lines the cavities of the heart — the endo- 

 cardium — suffers inflammation, the disease is called endocarditis. The 

 cause is another disease, during which there is produced and admit- 

 ted into the circulation substances that irritate the lining of the heart. 

 These substances are usually living organisms, or it is possible that 

 in some cases they are chemical irritants. Endocarditis occurs as a 

 complication or sequel to pneumonia, blood poisoning, inflammation 

 of the womb, rheumatism, or severe wounds or abscesses. The symp- 

 toms are much the same as those of pericarditis, and it is difficult to 

 discriminate between the two affections. There is a jugular pulse, 

 the legs may become dropsical, and there is a tendency to faint if the - 

 head is elevated suddenly. The bellows-like sound is more distinct 

 than it is in pericarditis. It is the most fatal of heart diseases, 

 because of the liability of the formation of clots, which may adhere 

 to the valves, change in the structure of the valves, and often a com- 

 plication with an abnormal condition of the blood. Clots may be 

 formed in the heart, and, being carried to other parts, prove fatal by 

 interrupting the circulation in some vital organ. 



Similar treatment to that advised for myocarditis may be followed 

 in this disease. 



VALVES OF THE HEART. 



The valves are subject to abnormal growths and structural changes 

 in chronic endocarditis or as a result of acute endocarditis. Some- 

 times valves are torn by sudden extreme muscular effort, or an abnor- 

 mality may be congenital. Cases are also reported in which they have 

 been found ruptured. 



Symptoms.— The general symptoms are those of heart weakness, 

 accompanied by congestion of the lungs and edema. 



Treatment. — Relief is sometimes afforded, but usually temporarily, 

 by the use of stimulants, especially digitalis. 



