DROPSY OF THE PERITONEUM. 589 



blanched appearance of tlie visible membranes. As the disease 

 becomes confirmed the symptoms first observed may become 

 more pronounced, or others may be added to them. In 

 numerous instances, as the dropsy advances, oedema of the 

 hmbs and lower parts of the body become troublesome. We 

 must never forget, however, that the character and relation 

 of the development of the symptoms to each other are largel}'- 

 modified by the inducing factor of the dropsical condition ; 

 the urine, which is always scanty and usually loaded, being 

 charged with biliary matter when the Uver is much diseased, 

 and with albumen when the changes are chiefly situated in 

 the kidney. A certain amount of confirmatory evidence may 

 also be afforded us by palpation and percussion, while the con- 

 current symptoms of disease of other and important structures 

 or organs, which we know are largely concerned in its produc- 

 tion, must not be overlooked. 



Treatment. — In the successful management of ascites very 

 much depends upon our correct appreciation of the causes 

 which are operating in its production. In the great majority 

 of the cases appearing in young horses not stabled, and which 

 have been recklessly exposed and otherwise badly treated, 

 nothing is likely to be productive of good without first remov- 

 ing them from the operation of such untoward influences ; 

 following the providing of sufficient shelter and good food, 

 much benefit will always result from efforts to improve the 

 general tone of all the tissues and promote absorption of 

 the fluid by the cautious exhibition of preparations of iron, 

 with occasional diuretics. Where the bowels are confined, 

 moderate doses of aloes may be administered at long intervals, 

 or sulphate of soda may be steadily given until its laxative 

 effects are developed. At the same time the animals must 

 not be continuously confined, but exercise ought to be taken 

 as they are able to bear it. 



Where cardiac disease is known or suspected to exist in 

 connection with the ascites, a system of treatment essentially 

 tonic and occasionally eliminative by acting on the bowels, is, 

 what seems indicated. When albumen exists in the m-ine, 

 and renal disease is suspected, diuretic medicine ought to be 

 withheld, or sparingly employed ; here iron, in the form of the 

 solution or tincture of the perchloride, or the sulphate com- 



