570 Ascites. 



ease in the portal area, while dropsy of the other body cavities 

 and of the snbcntaneons connective tissue indicates stagnation 

 of blood in the vena cava due to disease of the heart, lungs or 

 kidneys, or it may indicate general hydremia. Exceptions to 

 this rule are not uncommon. The pressure of the transudate 

 on the blood- and lymph-vessels of the abdominal wall may 

 cause subcutaneous edema. Diseases of the heart and lungs 

 not^ rarely cause sjanptoms which for a time resemble those of 

 ascites. A careful examination of all the organs allows some 

 opinion to be formed as to the situation of the primary disease. 

 The endocardial murmurs, irregularity of the heart and pulse 

 are sufficiently diagnostic of diseases of the heart. A decrease 

 in the quantity of urine passed is easily observed. The differ- 

 ential diagnosis of chronic diseases of the lungs is fraught with 

 more difficulty since ascites also disturbs respiration. 



Some diseases of the liver cause jaundice, while in other 

 cases enlargement of the liver or a tumor in the portal space 

 can be diagnosed by palpation. Removal of a part of the fluid 

 greatly facilitates this examination in that the abdominal wall 

 is relaxed and the contents of the al)domen are felt far more 

 easily. 



Prognosis. The prognosis is unfavorable, as a rule, be- 

 cause ascites is generally due to some incurable primary dis- 

 ease. Exceptions to this rule are cases of hydremia and cases 

 of ascites due to excessive feeding with materials rich in water. 

 In such cases a complete change of diet is sufficient to effect 

 a cure, provided it be not too late. A more favorable prog- 

 nosis can be given in cases of simple ascites in young dogs. 



Treatment. Recovery promptly follows the removal of a 

 part of the liquid in cases of ascites in young dogs. Exception- 

 ally similar recoveries take place in the horse and ox (Brusasco, 

 Hajnal, Fekete). The ascites occurring in socalled dropsy of 

 the cellular tissues (Zellgewebswassersucht) of cattle is cured 

 by the administration of dry food, provided the case is not too 

 far advanced. Good hay, lucerne and corn should be given. 



In practically all other cases treatment is symptomatic and 

 aims at relieving the functional disturbances caused by the col- 

 lection of the liquid. It is, as a rule, only dogs and other pets 

 that offer the opportunity for treatment, this being rarely 

 undertaken in animals that can be slaughtered or in horses. 



The absorption of the transudate is assisted by diuretics, 

 infusion and other preparations of digitalis (see page 121), 

 strophanthin (see page 121), sodium benzoate or citrate of 

 caffeine are valuable The salts of caffeine may be given (to 

 dogs) in doses of 0.1-2 grams three or four times a day. The 

 following diuretics should also be mentioned ; potassium acetate 

 in doses of 0.1-0.2 grams three or four time a day. The infu- 

 sion of dig-italis, juniper juice (1.0-2.0 gTu,), squills either as 



