Pericarditas. 329 



sac of the pericardium. A frequent termination is a permanent 

 adhesion of the pericardium throughout more or less of its extent 

 to the surface of the heart. In cases of death the serous effusion 

 is commonly colored with blood though mostly from a post mortem 

 infiltration of blood from the congested lungs. The effusion has 

 been known to measure fifteen litres in the horse. It may be 

 purulent or combined with foetid gases, particularly in traumatic 

 cases. After mild attacks white patches (milk spots) are often 

 left extending, if may be only through the pericardium and in 

 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 e,special 

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

 weak and debilitated subject, or when it is complicated by pleurisy, 

 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 pleurisj'-, only the primary disease (rheumatism, 

 influenza, pneumonia) mu.st be specially attended to when such is 

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

 opium or a.onite and by the moist jacket or fomentations. Some 

 employ icebags 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. 

 Kpsom Salts, dog i 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 ^ drachm, dog 2 to 4 



