DISEASES OP HEART, BLOOD VESSELS, AND LYMPHATICS. 79 

 RUPTURE OP THE HEART. 



Sudden effort, blows, or disease may lead to rupture of the heart of 

 the ox. The first cause does not operate so often in cattle as in horses. 

 Tuberculosis or ulceration from other causes, such as a foreign body, 

 is the most common source of this accident. Rupture is shown by 

 sudden fainting, followed very shortly by death. 



HYPERTROPHY AND DILATATION OF THE HEART. 



This is an enlargement of the heart, and may consist of the thicken- 

 ing of the walls alone, or at the same time the cavities may be either 

 enlarged or diminished in size. Dilatation of the cavities has been 

 noticed as existing independently of thickened walls. In hypertrophy 

 the sounds of the heart are loud and pronounced, and may be heard 

 on both sides of the chest distinctly, and palpitation occurs to a 

 greater or less extent. Luckily both conditions are very rare in cattle. 



ATROPHY. 



Atrophy is the technical term for wasting of the muscular tissue. 

 Atrophy of the heart is very rare among cattle, and is usually a result 

 of other diseases. 



PATTY DEGENERATION OP THE HEART. 



This condition of the heart is met with in some cattle that are very 

 fat, but it must be understood that the accumulation of fat around 

 the heart is not referred to by this designation. In fatty degenera- 

 tion the elements of the muscular tissue are replaced by fatty or oily 

 granules. The muscle becomes weak, the heart contractions are 

 insufficient, and heart weakness is shown by general weakness, short- 

 ness of breath, and weak, rapid pulse. 



CYANOSIS. 



Owing to the most prominent symptom, this condition is also called 

 "blue disease." It is seen occasionally in new-born calves. It is 

 recognized by the blue color of the mucous membrane (easily seen by 

 looking within the mouth and nostrils), the coldness of the surface of 

 the body, and rapid, labored breathing. It is due to nonclosure of 

 the foramen ovale, connecting the right with the left side of the heart, 

 and the consequent mixing of the venous with the arterial blood. 

 Calves so affected live but a short time. 



MISPLACEMENT OP THE HEART. 



Cases are recorded in which the heart has been found out of its 

 natural position, sometimes located outside of the chest. This is a 

 congenital condition, for which there is no remedy. A heifer calf 



