DISEASES OF HEART, 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five or six days, and then be superseded by the nitrate of potassium 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 until 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 INFLAMMATION OF THE SAC INCLOSING THE HEART. 
Causes—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. 
Symptoms.—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- 
