102 
FJR. BLAZEKOVIC. 
Abnormities of the valves and ostia in domestic animals exist 
much oftener than is generally supposed, and as has thus far been 
established by post mortem examinations. If the great number 
of emphysematous horses were carefully dissected, we would soon 
be convinced of the frequency of the abnormities of the heart 
valves, more so since they are present in nearly all other diseases 
of the heart. 
As long as the defects of the valves are still in a state of for¬ 
mation, they do not exercise any injurious influence upon the good 
health of the animal, and are therefore not heeded by the physi¬ 
cian ; but in progressive development they assume all those symp¬ 
toms which are found in affection of the heart. Emphysema of 
the lungs, dyspnoea, oft-recurring congestion of the brain, dizziness 
(in horses when at work), are constant attendants of defects of 
the valves. 
Next to the state of the pulse, abnormities in the murmurs and 
sounds of the heart are the best characteristic indications of de¬ 
fects of the valves. In developed chronic abnormities of the 
valves the tension cf the pulse is mostly normal. Sometimes it is 
hard and full, or soft and empty, according as the combination of 
the anomalies of the valves determines. Generally the pulsations 
are normal, sometimes they are reduced as regards number, be¬ 
cause in a given number of pulsations some may be wanting or 
lost; at least they are not perceptible to the examiner. But the 
number of pulsations in given intervals are never increased. This 
may be said of all deficiences of the valves without exception. 
According to my observation this phenomenon is always connected 
with diseases of the valves. 
The intervals between the wanting or lost beats are not always 
equal; often they are longer, often shorter. For instance, after 3- 
4 normal beats an imperfect motion or a total failure of the pulse, 
then several beats in quick succession, as though nature wanted to 
retrieve the lost beat; then another pause, followed by normal 
beats. In some cases the fourth, eighth, thirteenth, seventeenth, 
also the twentieth beats are wanting. After that, shorter intervals 
set in again which are subjected to mathematical precision in time 
and number. Often the morbid beat is found to be but very little 
