AND HIS DISEASES. 119 



PERICARDITIS. 



Inflammation of, the membrane investing the heart is 

 sometimes seen as an independent disease, but more generally 

 in connexion with pleurisy, influenza, rheumatic affections, 

 &c., giving rise to considerable accumulations of fluid in 

 the sac. 



Symptoms. — In three cases which came under our notice 

 during the past year the symptoms were very characteristic ; 

 a description of one of them will best illustrate our views. 



On the 14th of February 1866, a gray mare belonging to 

 Mr Hiram Green, BeachvUle, C.W,, was sent to our stables ; 

 she had been aiHng for several . days. The whole four legs 

 were swollen, especially about the joints ; venous regurgita' 

 tion of the jugulars and beating of the carotid arteries very 

 observable in the neck ; pulse from fifty to fifty-five,^ strong 

 and intermittent ; on applying the ear to the side of the 

 chest, the sounds of the heart were indistinct and feeble, 

 apparently heard through fluid, percussion elicited a dull 

 sound, and pain was evinced on pressure between the ribs in 

 that region ; the breathing was but little disturbed, but She 

 sighed occasionally. A peculiar expression of countenance, 

 especially observable in the eyes, was remarked ; great dis- 

 inclination to move. When turned suddenly, or otherwise 

 excited, the palpitation was visible ,at the side, and she 

 evidently experienced a feeling of suffocation ; bowels rather 

 costive ; appetite but little impaired ; she maintained the 

 standing position. 



Treatment. — Effusion having already taken place, our 

 main efforts were directed to check the dropsical tendency. 

 The bowels were opened by the following ball : — 



Barbadoes aloes, .... 3 draohms. 

 Calomel, . . . . . 1 drachm. 



