ON POUCHED HEART. 
50 
&c.—in which we think it possible much good might accrue 
from the more extensive use of such a remedy in veterinary 
medicine. 
ON POUCHED HEART : 
A DISEASE INCIDENT TO CATTLE DURING TIIE PROCESS OF FATTENING. 
“ Confestim apparebit.” 
[From the Farmer’s Magazine for June, August, October.] 
The subject of this communication is the result of a series of 
facts noticed for some years past. The observations built upon 
the facts are sincerely intended to advance the interests of those 
concerned in the rearing and feeding of cattle : at once shewing 
the impolicy, the inutility, and the injuriousness of the process 
of fattening, by which the animal is rendered unhealthy as soon 
as this condition goes beyond the development of its natural 
standard. The object of this communication is to point out 
momentous truths, in a direct form, connected with an impo r tant 
disease very common to cattle; and to give in detail the serious 
consequences which the disease involves : together forming a 
subject of no mean consideration to the holders and owners of 
land. Care will be taken to avoid as much as possible what 
are called “ technical terms,” in order that most of your readers 
may comprehend the information intended to be conveyed, rather 
than to dwell upon such significations, which would be not only 
excusable, but warranted, if all equally understood them. On 
the other hand, if there should appear a looseness of phraseology, 
if expressions should be used which are altogether illegitimate, 
they are given because they are frequently heard amongst 
graziers and agriculturists—the expressions are used to signify 
what these persons intended them to convey. * * * * 
In the “ pouched heart ” is to be observed the altered form of 
the right ventricle, unnaturally dilated and much attenuated; 
this constitutes a dangerous and incurable disease incidental to 
cows and stall-fed oxen during the process of fattening. 
A lengthened series of observations warrants the assertion 
that seven out of every ten of animals unduly fatted, or made 
fat by artificial food, are subject to this disease—in which the 
flesh is beginning to degenerate into a fatty substance (adipo- 
cere), by being in constant proximity to a non-nitrogenous sub¬ 
stance holding hydrogen in abundance. So that in fatted 
animals there is in reality a loss of flesh instead of increase, 
and in this condition they are slaughtered for human food. Yet, 
forsooth, the grazier views with mistaken satisfaction the marbly 
appearance, when slaughtered, of the muscles of his pampered 
kine. 
