HYDKOTHORAX. 41 



Perhaps several gallons of fluid will collect in the course of 

 a few days — say, from four to ten days — and by pressing 

 upon and interfering with the action of the lungs, seriously 

 interferes with respiration. In cases where copious effusion 

 has taken place, the fluid freely passes from one side of the 

 cavity to the other, there being free communication between 

 the sides, except when closed by bands of lymph. 



Treatment. — The eff'used fluid may be got rid of by 

 absorption, or by the operation of paracentesis thoracis. 

 Absorption of the fluid, however, is the best mode of removal, 

 and may often be eff'ected by allowing the animal plenty of 

 good nutritious food, at the same time administering diu- 

 retics, as colchicum, potassse nitras, etc., w^ith tonics, nutri- 

 tives, and stimulants, as alcoholic Hcjuors, port or sherry 

 wine, champagne, eggs, milk, etc. The system should be 

 supported as well as possible, and generally the fluid will be 

 absorbed and the parts restored to nearly their normal 

 condition. 



Paracentesis Thoracis. — In all cases where the process of 

 absorption fails to take place, the above-named operation is 

 to be performed, the space between the eighth and ninth 

 ribs being the place usually selected. A small incision is- 

 to be made through the common integument, and the 

 aspirator or trocar and canula used to draw off the fluid. 

 The operation is not so frequently successful among our 

 patients as it is in the human family. It may be that the 

 operation is not performed early enough in a great many 

 cases. It is not at all necessary to draw off the whole of 

 the fluid, but just enough to relieve the pressure on the 

 lungs may be taken aw^ay. It may be necessary to bandage 

 the wound throus-h which the fluid was drawn off. The 

 after-treatment consists in good feeding, administration of 

 stimulants and tonics, and sui^porting the strength by every 

 possible means at command. 



