HYDROTHORAX. 143 



with considerable oedema of the part, which accounted for 

 the dull sound on percussion. The ear, applied above the 

 sternum^ detected a dull protracted rumbling sound, similar 

 to what liquid within a rolling cask would make. The 

 therapeutic means employed having proved of no avail, and 

 the animal being threatened with suffocation, Massot de- 

 cided on puncturing the chest between the 5th and 6th rib, 

 behind and upon a level with the point of the elbow. 

 Through this aperture six pints of limpid serosity first 

 flowed; afterwards it came away yellow and thick, and, at 

 length, like to coagulated albumen. A month after the 

 operation the mare performed a long journey. 



My own practice has proved unsuccessful. I have fre- 

 quently performed tapping, and as frequently failed in any 

 good result. 



From one old horse I drew off ten gallons of water, seven 

 quarts from the left side, and thirty-three from the right 

 side. He died on the fourth day succeeding the operation, 

 without having been in the least relieved by the evacuation. 

 After death, six gallons more were found within the chest, 

 and one quart within the pericardium. 



In another case I drew twelve quarts of water from the 

 left cavity ; and, five days afterwards — the animal not having 

 experienced any relief — five quarts were taken from the right 

 side. By the last evacuation the symptoms appeared to have 

 been aggravated. Death ensued on the third day after the 

 last operation. Fluid was found within both pleural sacs, 

 amounting altogether to three gallons, and there was min- 

 gled with it a quantity of purulent matter. 



Success in our own country. — It now becomes my 

 pleasing duty to lay before my readers some accounts of cases 

 of success, and those of a most unequivocal description, which 

 have occurred to British veterinarians. The first is one 

 furnished to me by the late Professor Sewell. 



On the 16th of August, 1824, a bay horse, five years old, 

 was admitted into the Veterinarj^ College for pleurisy. The 

 attack had commenced the week before, and he had been 

 bled and rowelled, and had taken laxative medicine. The 



