CHRONIC DISEASE OF THE HEART OF A HEIFER. 309 
dition of the excretions was improved under this treatment, 
but as little food was taken, the bowels were not relieved 
oftener than three or four times in every twenty-four hours. 
She continued much in the same state until the morning: 
of the 16th, when, contrary to my expectations, she produced 
a healthy male calf, which was, however, of somewhat small 
size. On the 20th I instituted a more minute examination 
of my patient, and found all the usual indications of organic 
disease of the heart. Its action appeared almost indistinct, 
and there was the ordinary overcharged state of the jugular 
veins which is found in dropsy of the pericardium. A little 
effusion also existed at the point of the sternum, as is usually 
seen in hydrothorax. From this state of things I looked 
upon the case as a hopeless one, and discontinued all further 
medical treatment. 
As the animal was in good condition, I was very desirous 
of having her slaughtered, to w hich, with much reluctance. 
Sir Anthony gave his consent. She was thereupon killed 
on the 25th—nine days after parturition. 
Th e post-mortem examination brought to light a very singu¬ 
lar mass of disease. The liver w as of a light nutmeg colour, 
and very easily broken down under moderate pressure. The 
biliary ducts were enlarged, and in many places partially 
ossified. They contained a few flukes, but I did not regard 
this as a matter of much importance. 
In the thoracic cavity four or five gallons of serous fluid 
existed, and the heart was found to be exceedingly enlarged, 
weighing no less than fourteen pounds , this being about 
double the weight of an ordinary sized one. 
The pericardium also was very much thickened, and con¬ 
tained about two quarts of a pus-like deposit, which was very 
offensive to the smell. There w r as a considerable amount of 
serous effusion in the areolar tissue over the w T hole frame, 
especially surrounding the kidneys and between the large 
muscles, as w T ell as beneath the integuments. 
It is somewhat singular that an animal w 7 ith so much 
organic disease should have maintained her high, rather fat 
condition, and have gone her full period of utero-gestation, 
producing a live and apparently healthy calf. 
[The enlargement of the heart was due to layers of lymph, 
which had taken place on its external surface, and which had 
become gradually organized by the extension of the vessels 
from the substance of the organ into them. The walls of the 
heart were thus thickened to nearly three times their natural 
extent. A perfect line of demarcation existed between the 
