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may be given in the drinking water, two or three times daily. Where much 
debility follows the acute symptoms, tonics are required, and the formula 
mentioned in treating of influenza, will prove very useful here also. Insome 
cases where fluid still remains unabsorbed in the chest, the veterinary 
surgeon passes a trocar between the ribs, and draws off the effused liquid, 
- which may amount to many pints. 
HEART DISEASES. 
WE shall not have much to say concerning diseases of the heart. 
Palpitation or violent and tumultuous action of the heart, is a common 
symptom met with both in functional, and in organic disease of the heart. 
It is due to a variety of causes, such as sudden demand for work from the 
heart in excess of its powers. In cases dependent upon weakness, tonics 
are required, and the diet should be nutritious and digestible. When 
palpitation results from nervous excitement, quietude should be enjoined, 
Spirit of chloroform in one ounce doses, with five minims of Fleming’s 
tincture of aconite, three times daily, is very useful. When we purchase a 
horse it is always well to feel the pulse, as intermittence or irregularity of the 
beat leads us to suspect, and then to further examine the heart. 
Hypertrophy of the heart is not uncommon in race-horses, from long- 
continued exertion ; and in young thorough-bred foals, heart disease is not 
uncommonly seen as the result of hereditary influence. Sometimes, indeed; 
the disease commences in the youns animal prior to its birth. 
Very frequently chronic affections of the heart are left after rheumatism, 
Unfortunately, very lite can be done in chronic affection of the valves of 
the heart, and indeel, in many c: ses, it is not our object to prolong life in 
horses incapable of working owins to such serious diseases. 
In aged horses, after sharp exertion, rupture of the heart is sometimes 
met with, or it may result. from a fall, or from direct violence to the chest 
It is, necessarily, always fatal. 2 
