456 



DISEASES OF THE CIBCULA TOBY SYSTEM. 



(progression of the foreign body during working exertions) and 

 othei accidental circumstances. 



Differential diag'nosis. Chronic troubles of digestion, increased 

 activity of the heart, pericardial bruits, venous stagnation, oedema, 

 the chronic course of the affection and its propressive aggravation, 

 are enough for the definition of the diagnosis of traumatic pericar- 

 ditis. At the beginning the coincidence of the three following 

 symptoms is very significant : first, incurable chronic catarrh of the 

 stomach; secondly, tympanic sound in the region of the heart; 

 thirdly, respiratory troubles (dyspnœa, cough) are shown irrespec- 

 tive of any serious pulmonary alteration (Rothfritz). 



In the ox, the frequency of traumatic pericarditis allows us to 

 eliminate tlie rheumatismal form even when there is a complication 

 of pleurisy ; the cardiac symptoms counsel us to decide on the ex- 

 istence of the first. But this is not the case in the horse and the 

 dog. By a careful examination it is always possible to avoid the 

 confusion of traumatic pericarditis of the ox with pulmonary affec- 

 tions. (Concerning the differential diagnosis of pericarditis and 

 endocarditis, see the following article.) 



Treatment. We must not prolong the treatment of animals 

 affected by traumatic cardo-pericarditis. On the contrary, we 

 should have them slaughtered as soon as the diagnosis is estab- 

 lished. All authors agree on this head. At the outset, when the 

 diagnosis is still doubtful and life is not in danger, it is proper to 

 regulate the heart's action by means of digitalis (2 to 5 grammes 

 per day), caffeine (5 grammes), tincture of strophanthus (10 to 25 

 grammes), etc. We have tried to induce the retrogression of the 

 foreign body by excitiug the peristaltic movements of the stomach 

 (tartar emetic, salts), but these means are inefficient as a rule. In 

 some cases we resort to surgical treatment, which consists either in 

 the puncture of the distended pericardium (Lydtin, Schmidt), or in 

 the extraction of a foreign body which is perceptible to palpation 

 or visible in the pericardium (Bastian). Meyer has advised this ex- 

 traction by laparotomy and the opening of the belly. It is doubtful 

 whether such means would give favorable results when pericarditis 

 has already set in. 



2. Pericarditis of t^he Horse and Other Domestic Animals. 



Etiology. In the large majority of cases pericarditis of the 

 horse, sheep, and dog, is idiopathic. It is very often of a rheuma- 



