HTDROTHORAX. 151 



ment to the test, and where, in defiance of such treatment, 

 it has gone on to produce hydrothorax — and such a hydro- 

 thorax as must inevitably end in the death of the patient, 

 and that very shortly — I do not see what other reasonable 

 course we have to pursue than to operate. It is true, we 

 have but very slight hope of any good result : but, having 

 done all we can, like a drowning man, we are glad at last 

 " to catch at a straw/^ 



Treatment after paracentesis. — Should the quantity 

 of water abstracted be considerable, I should advise the en- 

 circling of the thorax with some very long bandage or roller, 

 with a view of giving support to the contained viscera; 

 perhaps a broad circingle would be the thing. The compres- 

 sion must be only such as can be borne ; and should it be 

 found to inconvenience the animal, it ought to be immedi- 

 ately removed. In a medical point of view, there are several 

 objects to be fulfilled : — the watching of the inflammation, 

 the support of our patient, the prevention of fresh eff'usion of 

 water. When mercury, during the progress of the disease, 

 has had its full trial, I think the tonic-diuretic plan seems 

 likely to best answer. I would give preparations of iron or 

 copper, in combination with emetic antimony, digitalis, 

 gentian, turpentine, cantharides, &c. Either of the fol- 

 lowing balls may be given, morning and evening, providing 

 there be no inflammatory symptoms to interdict it : 



R Ferri Sulphat. . . . 5iss 



Cantharid 5ss 



Gentian. Rad. . . . 5SS 

 Theriacae q. s. ut f. Bol. 



R Cupri Sulphat. . . . 5J 

 Pulv. Digitalis ... 553 

 Antimon. Tart. . . . 3ij 

 Terebinth. Vulg. q. s. ut f. Bol. 



lu cases where great debiUty is left behind, not even 

 tonics but stimulmits may be required. Mr. Scriven gave 

 his patient port wine. Under similar circumstances, I am in 

 the habit of giving malt liquors — porter or ale. Here, 

 also, a nutritive but soft or easily digestible diet ought to be 

 allowed. 



