262 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 
generally involved it is flabby or flaccid, and in extreme cases col- 
lapses when emptied or cut. Upon dissection the interior of the 
ventricles is observed to be covered with buff-colored spots of a 
singular zigzag form. This appearance may be noticed beneath the 
pericardium, and pervading the whole thickness of the ventricular 
walls, and in extreme cases those of the fleshy columns in the interior 
of the heart. These spots are found to be degenerated muscular 
fibers and colonies of oil globules. Fatty degeneration is often asso- 
ciated with other morbid conditions of the heart, such as obesity, 
dilatation, rupture, aneurism, etc. It may be connected with fatty 
diseases of other organs, such as the liver, kidneys, etc. When it 
exists alone its presence is seldom suspected previous to death. It 
may be secondary to hypertrophy of the heart, to myocarditis, or 
to pericarditis. It may be due to deteriorated conditions of the 
blood in wasting diseases, excessive hemorrhages, etc., or to poisoning 
with arsenic and phosphorus. 
Symptoms.—The most prominent symptoms of fatty degeneration ' 
are a feeble action of the heart, a remarkably slow pulse, general 
debility, and attacks of vertigo. It may exist for a long time, but is 
apt to terminate suddenly in death upon the occurrence of other 
diseases, surgical operations, etc. It may involve a liability to 
sudden death from rupture of the ventricular walls. 
Treatment.—Confinement in feed to oats, wheat or rye bran, and 
timothy hay. Twenty drops of sulphuric acid may be given in 
drinking water three times a day, and hypophosphite of iron in 2- 
dram. doses, mixed with the feed, twice a day. Other tonics and stim- 
ulants as they may be indicated. 
RUPTURE OF THE HEART. 
This may occur as the result of some previous disease, such as 
fatty degeneration, dilatation with weakness of the muscular walls, 
etc. It may be caused by external violence, a crushing fall, pressure 
of some great weight, etc. Usually death follows a rupture very 
quickly, though an animal may live for some time when the rent is 
not very large. 
WEAKNESS OF THE HEART. 
This may arise from general debility, the result of exhausting dis- 
ease, overwork, or heart strain, or loss of blood. It is indicated by a 
small, feeble, but generally regular pulse, coldness of the body, ete. 
Treatment should be directed to support and increase the strength 
of the animal by tonics, rest, and nutritious feed. Carbonate of 
ammonia may be given to stimulate the heart’s action and to prevent 
the formation of heart clot. 
