454 Veterinary Medicine. 



the fistula or an abscess may burst into this sac producing puru- 

 lent or septic infection in the contents. This pericardial liquid 

 may amount to 15 litres (Friedberger and Frbhner), or even 18 

 (Trasbot). 



Sometimes the lung is implicated having been perforated by 

 the foreign body (Cornette), or involved by extension of infec- 

 tion from the pleura or pericardium to which it has contracted an 

 adhesion. Infiltration and even abscess of the lung is met with. 



When the perforating body has become encysted in the peri- 

 cardium it may remain fixed for months or a year, the walls 

 having been organized (fibroid or calcic). 



When the animal survives the perforation of the heart, the 

 latter may show small ulcerous wounds caused by the pricking 

 action of the perforating body as the heart contracts ; small, 

 sharp bodies may even penetrate the muscle of the heart and 

 finally the endocardium as well, giving rise to the escape of blood 

 into the fistula, the pericardium, or the fatty tissue. The blood 

 may be in the form of pea-like clots in the connective tissue, or 

 of considerable masses of coagulum. Conversely the microbes 

 reaching the endocardium and blood, attack the less vascular and 

 resistant valves, and lead to exudation, coagula, ulceration and 

 insufficiency. 



The exudate in the mediastinum gravitates downward to be- 

 neath the sternum and forward beneath the trachea and oesopha- 

 gus, producing a dropsical appearance of the breast and dewlap. 



The mediastinal, bronchial and cardiac lymph glands are 

 always involved, enlarged, congested, reddened and softened. 



Symptoms. These vary at the different stages. The earliest 

 manifestations often pass unnoticed, consisting as they do in 

 tardiness and insufiiciency of the rumination, capricious appetite 

 and occasional slight tympanies of the rumen after meals. If the 

 gas eructated has a foul odor it is still more suggestive. When 

 the pointed body has been arrested in the gullet and has pene- 

 trated its walls, the same disorders of rumination are marked 

 through the formation of a phlegmon and pressure on the vagus 

 nerves. 



When the vulnerant body has reached the pleura the symptoms 

 may become more characteristic, though they vary much accord- 

 ing to the nature of the offending body, the infection and the 



