PLEURISY. 649 



Now, if the effusion continue or remain unabsorbed, or is 

 poured out in greater quantities than can be taken up by absorp- 

 tion, it naturally follows that the condition of hydrothorax will 

 be the result ; if, on the contrary, the effusion be moderate in 

 quantity, or if absorbed, it as naturally follows that the improve- 

 ment of the symptoms is but the forerunner of convalescence. 



In addition to increasing difficulty of breathing, a difficulty 

 sometimes so great as to call into operation the action of muscles 

 other than those of respiration, extending even to the caudal 

 ones, causing an upward and downward motion of the tail 

 similar to that of a pump handle, the other characteristic signs 

 are dropsical swellings, commencing generally at the sternum, 

 extending along the floor of the abdomen, and finally invading 

 the areolar tissue of the extremities ; flapping of the nostrils, 

 protrusion of the head, and increased roundness or bulging of 

 the ribs, and the hair of the mane and tail is easily pulled out. 

 In some instances of hydrothorax the legs remain unnaturally 

 fine, even to the fatal termination. 



It may be mentioned that the appetite is capricious, and that 

 the symptoms generally are subject to variations — the diagnostic 

 ones being those detected by percussion and auscultation. 



TREATMENT. 



The treatment of pleurisy in its acute stage differs but little 

 from that of pneumonia, unless, indeed, the pleuritic pain be 

 acute, then opium is essentially necessary. In the very earliest 

 stage of the inflammation, when the pain is usually most acute, 

 a dose of tincture of opium, in combination with a pint of linseed 

 oil, has usually a very decided anodyne effect, jjarticularly if 

 its soothing effect be assisted by warm fomentations to the 

 affected side. The opium may be repeated if the pain continues ; 

 usually, however, the acute pain subsides in a few hours; 

 and, provided the pulse remain hard, aconite may take the 

 place of the opium. If the pulse be soft and showing little 

 irritation, but little treatment, beyond warm fomentations to 

 the sides, clothing the animal warmly, allowing it to drink 

 freely of cold water, in which an ounce of potash nitrate 

 is daily dissolved, and supplying it with nutritious, easily 

 digestible food, is necessary. The fomentations to the sides are 



