30 CHRONIC PLEURISY. 



regain good health, even although a portion of the liquid remains. 



Chronic pleurisy may end in empyema, in which disease the liquid be- 

 comes purulent, and from which recovery is very doubtful. 



Tre«?j>ie?i?. — T\\e objects of treatment are to remove the effused liquid, 

 and develop and sustain the general strength of the system. For the first 

 object, the measures which may be employed, are the same as in the last 

 stage of acute pleurisy. Small blisters, or the tincture of iodine may be 

 applied to the affected side, and mild laxatives should be judiciously given 

 if the general condition and strength warrant their use. 



The second object calls for tonic remedies, which should be given three 

 times a day. A pill, combining several of the more powerful agents, can 

 be made as follows — 



R Quiniaa Sulph. gr. xxiv 



Ferri Carb. g ss 



Ext. Nucis Vomica? gr. viij 

 Ft. Pil. No. xxiv. Sig. Dose one three times daily. 

 Tonics should be persisted in, and may be changed occasionally, as the 

 animal becomes accustomed to their use. The pills may, after a time, be 

 discontinued, and the syrup of the iodide of iron in ten drop doses, or the 

 elixir of calisaya bark, iron, and strychnia in teaspoonful doses, be given. 

 If the animal be thin in flesh, cod liver oil must be added to the treatment. 

 Pure air, gentle exercise, and nutritious diet are essential in this, as in 

 all exhausting diseases. 



In extreme cases, where a rapid formation of the liquid effusion threat- 

 ens death by suffocation, tapping the chest may be resorted to, but a skil- 

 ful physician, the family attendant, should be employed for the operation, 

 which, in but few cases, will result successfully, as the fluid generally 

 returns. 



