Sero-Fibrinous Pericarditis . 445 



other cases reaching into the muscular substance. At a less ad- 

 vanced stage the false membranes are yellow, with a rough or 

 villous surface, they may be softened from fatty degeneration or 

 they may be more or less completely calcified. 



When the cause has been perforation by a metallic body, it will 

 be found surrounded by exudate enveloping a canal or band ex- 

 tending to the diaphragm or stomach. 



Treatment. Pericarditis often proves fatal but it is by no 

 means invariably so in uncomplicated cases. There is especial 

 danger when serous effusion is excessive, when it occurs in a 

 weak and debilitated subject, or when it is complicated byj)leurisy, 

 influenza or rheumatism. The preliminary chill may be met by 

 the measures advised for the rigor of pleurisy, but if the malady 

 is developed other treatment is required. The medication is still 

 essentially as for pleiirisy, only the primary disease (rheumatism, 

 influenza, pneumonia) must be specially attended to when such is 

 present. Acute pain may be met by carefully graduated doses of 

 opium or aconite and by the moist jacket or fomentations. Some 

 employ ice bags to soothe at once inflammation and pain, and in the 

 absence of rheumatism these may be resorted to. In the small 

 animals leeches may be applied over the cardiac region. Dry 

 cupping is a good alternative applicable to all. 



An active purgative is demanded unless the affection is attended 

 by a low type of fever or has occurred during the course of an 

 epizootic disease, (horse, 5 to 7 drachms aloes, cow, i to 2 lbs. 

 Epsom salts, dog, Y2. oz. castor oil). After the walls of the chest 

 have been well fomented they may be enveloped in a large mustard 

 poultice which must be continued until a considerable effusion 

 has taken place beneath the skin. To moderate and control the 

 heart's action give digitalis (horse and ox J^ drachm, dog, 2 to 4 

 grains) four times a day. After the purgative has acted, an ounce 

 of nitrate or acetate of potass may be given daily to the larger 

 quadrupeds ( i ^ drachms to sheep and pigs, and 20 grains to 

 dogs) in the drinking water. These agents, together with the 

 digitalis, must be pushed to the largest doses when the effusion has 

 taken place abundantly and when it threatens to dangerously in- 

 terfere with the heart's action. Pilocarpin is a dernier resort, to 

 be used with caution. In similar circumstances, ointment or 

 tincture of iodine should be freely applied over the chest in the 



