CARDIAC HYPERTROPHY. 109 



tion, raises arterial pressure, and lessens the fre- 

 quency of the pulse. The infusion of the leaves, 

 thirty grains of the leaves to eight ounces of water, 

 may be given in doses of one to four drams daily. 

 In dropsical cases a diuretic should also be given, 

 such as acetate of potash, iodid of potash, squill, 

 and so on. Ascitic conditions may be temporarily 

 relieved by puncture; palpitation and excitement by 

 1-8 to 1-4 grain of morphin, hypodermically injected. 

 In cases of great prostration give stimulants such 

 as strychnin, brucin (for puppies), whisky, ether, or 

 camphor. 



Hypertrophy jmd Dilatation of the Heart 



This affection consists of enlargement of the heart, 

 increased thickness of its muscular walls, and en- 

 largement of its cavities in dilatation of the heart. 

 The heart, or portion of it affected (usually the 

 right side), is enlarged, but the walls relaxed and 

 thinner and its cavities distended. Since from a 

 clinical standpoint both hypertrophy proper and 

 dilatation of the heart are so closely allied as to make 

 it almost impossible to differentiate between them, 

 they are here considered together. Dilatation is 

 nearly always secondary to hypertrophy and appear? 

 when the hypertrophic heart begins to fail to meet 

 the increased demands made upon it. 

 - Causes. — Increased physical exertion, which occurs 

 in "racing or hunting dogs as the result of continued 

 severe exertion, is a frequent cause of hypertrophy 

 and dilatation of the heart. 



Obstacles to circulation in the blood vessels, such 

 as aortic aneurysms, stenosis of the aorta, thrombi, 

 and pressure of neoplasms on the aorta, degenerative 

 processes in the large vessels, are further causes, as 

 well as valvular defects producing compensatory 

 hypertrophy, lung diseases, emphysema of the lungs. 



