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Inflammation of the pericardium. (Dorland, 27th ed)

Inflammation of pericardium.

The inflammation of the membrane which surrounds the heart.

This is probably the proper appellation for most of those cases which have received the names of Carditis, Cardipericarditis, Cardopericarditis, and Cardiopericarditis. Along with signs of pyrexia, the local symptoms resemble those of pneumonia. Those which point out that the pericardium is the seat of disease, are the following :-pain, referred to the region of the heart, or the scrobiculus cordis,-sometimes pungent, at others, dull and heavy: palpitation, accompanied with spasmodic twitchings in the neighbourhood of the heart, shooting up to the left shoulder; pulsation, and sometimes soreness of the carotids, with tinnitus aurium and vertigo; the breathing is by catches; dyspnoea considerable; pulse jarring, jerking, peculiar; the tongue white, covered with a mucous coat, and the skin often bathed in sweat, as in acute rheumatism. The physical signs during the first period are as follows. The action of the heart is generally evident to the eye, and may be felt by the hand. There is soreness to the touch over the intercostal spaces, and over a small surface in the epigastric region, when the pressure is directed upwards towards the pericardium. Percussion is usually natural, but at times there is dulness. On auscultation, the cardiac movements are found to be frequent, abrupt, jerking, and tumultuous; often irregular and intermittent. The pulse presents corresponding characters. When effusion of lymph has occurred, percussion may be negative, or be but slightly affected. On auscultation, in addition to the preceding signs, there may be one or more of the rubbing or friction bruits resembling the rustling of parchment, or of a sawing or rasping character. In some cases, the sound is like the creaking of new leather. This has been supposed to be pathognomonic of effused lymph. The most important point in the pathology of pericarditis is its connexion with acute rheumatism: and it forms one of the most dangerous occurrences in the latter disease. It may be acute or chronic: in either case, it is, of course, formidable. The most active depletion must be used; with large doses of opium, counter-irritants, and all the means required in the most violent internal inflammations.

Inflammation of the pericardium.