Prognosis.—When the palpitation does not proceed from any organic disease, we may expect to remove it in a very short time by appropriate homeopathic remedies. A dose of A.A. often relieves an attack.
| DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SO CALLED SPASM OF THE DIAPHRAGM (PALPITATION) AND TRUE SPASM OF THE DIAPHRAGM (HICCOUGH). | |
|---|---|
| SO CALLED SPASM OF THE DIAPHRAGM. | TRUE SPASM OF THE DIAPHRAGM. |
| Hiccough is seldom present. | Hiccough is always present. |
| The action of the abdominal muscles is increased and the heaving of the flanks is quite visible. In those cases, where Palpitation occurs from a hard run with the hounds, the diaphragm becomes tired, the abdominal muscles come to its assistance in carrying on the respiration and the heart’s action is increased in order to overcome the obstacle which probably exists in the pulmonary arteries. | The action of the abdominal muscles at the flank is imperceptible. |
| The flanks are tucked up. | There is great fullness in the flanks from the abdominal viscera being pushed backwards. |
Spasm of the Diaphragm
There is a form of palpitation which has received this designation, and has been mistaken for a functional disorder of the diaphragm, or excessive motion of the abdominal muscles. True Spasm of the Diaphragm is Hiccough; and in this condition there are no such sounds as characterize Palpitation.
Cause.—The excessive action of the heart, when the horse has been distressed by severe gallops or an exciting run, produces a jerking of the whole body, as the heart strikes the dorso-costal region, towards the upper part of the first false ribs.
Symptoms.—These are much the same as in Anemic Palpitation; but in addition there is violent elevation of the flanks, perceptible to the observer, and, if being ridden, most unpleasant to the rider. The symptoms appear and disappear suddenly.
Treatment.—Give A.A. once in two hours, at first, and later three times per day.
Embolism
Definition.—Distension and plugging of the arteries by solid coagulated lymph, consisting of fibrous clots, fragments of decaying or suppurating tissue, and the elements of Tubercule and Cancer.
Cause.—The reason why there is deposition of the offending material is unexplained; but it is brought from different parts of the circulatory system, from diseased tissues through the veins and the heart, and deposited so as to obstruct larger or smaller arteries, and thus prevent the flow of arterial blood to the limbs and organs. The arteries and hind limbs are most liable to this disorder.