The Thorax 127 



the owner succeeded in extracting tne arrow the animal would 

 have died almost immediately from acute hemorrhage. 



Symptoms and Diagnosis. Heart wounds are recognized by 

 the location of the external wound, the general* evidence of hem- 

 orrhage, the acute anemia, the disturbance of cardiac function, and 

 the local signs of filling of the pericardium and pleura. 



Treatment. For the class of wounds in which the hemorrhage 

 is confined to the pericardial sac the operation of pericardicentesis 

 is theoretically indicated, but it must be remembered that even if 

 the pressure is successfully removed the hemorrhage may begin 

 anew. 



For the other class of wounds in which the blood escapes ex- 

 ternally or into the pleural sacs there is only one alternative, and 

 that is to open the thorax and suture. Modern surgery has shown 

 that suture of the heart is a perfectly feasible operation. But, there 

 are certain difficulties to be overcome in the case of the dog which 

 are likely to cause even the most skilful and progressive operator 

 to hesitate. 



PEBICABDITIS. 



The term pericarditis comprehends any inflammation of the 

 external serosa of the heart and roots of the great vessels. Every 

 inflammation of this membrane is essentially of infectious origin, 

 the inflammatory products invariably disclosing the presence of 

 microorganisms. Idiopathic pericarditis is an unknown entity, 

 aseptic lesions always cicatrising without inflammation. The pro- 

 cess of infection is said to be primary when the pericardium is 

 the original seat of attack by microorganisms; it is said to be 

 secondary when the pericardium is invaded during the course of a 

 general infectious malady. 



The disease may be acute or chronic, and two principal types 

 are recognized, viz., the sero-fibrinous and the purulent, depending 

 upon the properties of the causative microbe. 



Sero-fibrinous inflammation of the pericardium, while being 

 rarer than that of pleura and peritoneum, is, nevertheless, by no 

 means uncommon. Its development is usually secondary, either 

 from pyemia, rheumatism, pneumonia, or distemper, but most often 

 from tuberculosis, when it may occur either singly or complicated 



