250 THE DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



DROPSY OF THE ABDOMEN (ASCITES), 



Is caused by general debility or mechanical impediment 

 to the return of venous blood to the heart, occasioned 

 perhaps by disease of that organ or by disease of the 

 liver, and also by the pressure of a tumor on the portal 

 veins. 



The disease is not frequent in the adult, but often oc- 

 curs in the fetus. The best plan in some cases is to cut, 

 by the aid of the concealed knife, through the abdomi- 

 nal walls of the fetus and let the fluid escape. In the 

 adult the belly is distended, and if one hand be placed 

 against the abdominal wall, while the opposite side is per- 

 cussed, a wave of fluid may be detected. Dropsical swell- 

 ings appear on the belly and under the chest. The breath- 

 ing is thoracic (chest or thorax), and the animal gradu- 

 ally loses blood. The disease is hard to cure. 



Remedy. — Nitrate potassium, 2 drams, bicarbonate pot- 

 assium, 4 drams, oil juniper, 1 dram, spirit nitrous ether, 

 1 oz., water in proportion. Try to remove the primary 

 cause of the complaint. Tonics. Trocar between the 

 navel and the iliac bone if necessary. Insert instrument 

 gently. 



