DISEASES OF HEABT, BLOOD VESSELS, AND LYMPHATICS. 255 



The tincture of digitalis, in 20-drop doses, repeated every hour, 

 is perhaps the most reliable agent we know to control the irri" 

 tability of the heart, and this also has a decided influence upon the 

 urinary secretion. After the desired impression upon the heart is 

 obtained the dose may be repeated every two or three hours, or as 

 the case may demand. Tincture of strophanthus, in 2-dram doses, 

 will quiet the tumultuous action of the heart in some cases where the. 

 digitalis fails. Bleeding, blistering, and stimulating applications to 

 the chest should be avoided. They serve to irritate the animal and 

 can do no possible good. Chlorate of potassium in 2-dram doses 

 may be given in the drinking water every four hours for the first 

 five or six days, and then be superseded by the nitrate of potassium 

 in half -ounce doses for the following week or imtil the urinary 

 secretion becomes abnormally profuse. Where the disease is asso- 

 ciated with rheumatism, 2-dram doses of salicylate of soda may be 

 substituted for the chlorate of potassium. To guard against chronic 

 induration of the valves, the iodid of potassium, in 1 to 2 dram doses, 

 should be given early in the disease and may be repeated two 

 or three times a day for several weeks. When chronic effects remain 

 after the acute stage has passed this drug becomes indispensable. 



When dropsy of the limbs develops, it is due to weakened circula- 

 tion or functional impairment of the kidneys. When there is much 

 weakness in the action of the heart, or general debility is marked, the 

 iodid of iron, in 1-dram doses, combined with hydrastis, 3 drams, 

 may be given three times a day. Arsenic, in 5-grain doses twice a 

 day, will give excellent results in some cases of weak heart associated 

 with difficult breathing. In all cases absolute rest and warm stabling, 

 with comfortable clothing, become necessary, and freedom from 

 work should be allowed for a long time after all symptoms have dis- 

 appeared. 



PERICARDITIS, OR IXFLAMMATION OF THE SAC INCLOSING THE HEART. 



Ctmses. — Pericarditis may be induced by cold and damp stabling, 

 exposure and fatigue, from wounds caused by broken ribs, etc. Gen- 

 erally, however, it is associated with an attack of influenza, rheuma- 

 tism, pleuritis, etc. 



Sym/ptonbS. — ^Usually the disease manifests itself abruptly by a 

 brief stage of chills coincident with pain in moving, a short painful 

 cough, rapid and short breathing, and high temperature, with a 

 rapid and hard pulse. In the early stages of the disease the pulse is 

 regular in beat; later, when there is much exudation present in the 

 pericardial sac, the heartbeat becomes muffled, and may be of a 

 double or rebounding character. By placing the ear against the left 

 side of the chest behind the elbow a rasping sound may be heard, cor- 



