CG THE DISEASES OF THE HOfcSE. 



DROPSIES, GENERAL (ANASARCA), 



Swell the legs, sheath, breast, belly, lips, eyelids, &c. 

 They are often the result of either constitutional disease 

 or deficiency and poverty of blood. They are external— 

 beneath the skin — but in chronic cases there may be in- 

 ternal accumulations also, and sometimes sympathetic in- 

 flammation of the air passages. The latter is a very dan- 

 gerous complication. The swellings have a soft feel and 

 pit on pressure. Dullness, loss of appetite, strength, and 

 flesh, short and difficult breathing, and frequent and in- 

 distinct pulse are characteristic symptoms. 



Remedy. — Turkish baths. Digitalis infusion and strych- 

 nine are useful in most dropsies, especially in dropsy of 

 the heart, in which give with salines. Copaiba in heart 

 and liver cases. Laxatives and potassium iodide in kid- 

 ney cases. Encourage vicarious functions of bowels and 

 skin in kidney cases. Iron and salines for lack of blood. 

 Friction, shampooing, external stimulants. Draw off water 

 with trocar. Also with aspirator (injection-like syringe). 

 Acupuncture (the introduction of needles into the living 

 tissues for remedial purposes.) 



For doses, see pages 13 to 29. 



DROPSY OF THE SCROTUM (HYDROCELE), 



Is rare. 



Remedy.— Evacuate by trocar and canula. Injection 

 of iodine or other astringent solution. 



SEROUS ABSCESS 



Is a kind of dropsy. It is usually situated on the outer 

 side of the thigh, in front of the stifle, the breast, the 

 shoulder, and the arm. Though circumscribed, the ab- 

 scesses are occasionally of considerable size. Their shape' 

 is ovoid, flattened upon the surface. They have a soft, 

 fluctuating feel, and, when punctured, emit a jet of straw- 



