DISEASES OF HEART, BLOOD VESSELS, AND LYMPHATICS. 257 



dilatation of its cavities; when they are but slight, they may not 

 cause any inconvenience. 



Treatment. — In acute or subacute pericarditis the tincture of digi- 

 talis may be given in 20 to 30 drop doses every hour until the pulse 

 and temperature become reduced. Whisky or carbonate of ammonia 

 may be given regularly as stimulants. Bandages should be applied 

 to the legs; if the legs are very cold, tincture of capsicum should be 

 first applied ; the body should be warmly clothed in blankets, to pro- 

 mote perspiration. When the suffering from pain is very severe, 10 

 grains of morphin may be given by the mouth once or twice a day ; 

 nitrate of potassium, half an ounce, in drinking water, every six 

 hours ; after the third day, iodid of potassium, in 2-dram doses, may 

 be substituted. Cold packs to the chest in the early stages of the 

 disease may give marked relief, or, late in the disease, smart blisters 

 may be applied to the sides of the chest with benefit. If the disease 

 becomes chronic, iodid of iron and gentian to support the strength 

 will be indicated, but the iodid of potassium, in 1 or 2 dram doses, 

 two or three times a day, must not be abandoned so long as there is 

 an evidence of effusion or plastic exudate accumulating in the peri- 

 cardial sac. Where the effusion is great and threatens the life of 

 the patient, tapping by an expert veterinarian may save the animal. 



VALVULAR DISEASE OF THE HEAKT. 



Acute valvular disease can not be distinguished from endocarditis, 

 and chronic valvular affections are generally the result of endocar- 

 dial inflammation. The valves of the left side are the most subject — 

 the bicuspid or mitral and the aortic or semilunar. The derange- 

 ment may consist of mere inflammation and swelling, or the edges of 

 the valves may become covered by the organization of the exudation, 

 thus narrowing the passage. Valvular obstruction and adhesions 

 may occur or the tendinous cords may be lengthened or shortened, 

 thus obstructing the orifices and permitting the regurgitation of 

 blood. In protected cases the fibrous tissue of the valves may be 

 transformed into fibro-cartilage or bone, or there may be deposits of 

 salts of lime beneath the serous membrance, which may terminate in 

 ulceration, rupture, or fissures. Sometimes the valves become cov- 

 ered by fibrinous, fleshy, or hard vegetations, or excrescences. In 

 cases of considerable dilatation of the heart there may be atrophy and 

 shrinking of the valves. 



Symptoms. — Valvular disease may be indicated by a venous pulse, 

 jerking pulse, intermittent pulse, irregular pulse ; palpitation ; con- 

 stant abnormal fullness of the jugular veins ; difficulty of breathing 

 when the animal becomes excited or is urged out of a walk or into a 



36444°— 16 17 



