74 THE MODERN HORSE DOCTOR. 



the left side was audible ; but on the right, there was an absence 

 of all sound. The ribs seemed to be elevated at each inspiration. 

 The animal had a distressing look. The appetite was impaired, 

 and the bowels were constipated ; the faeces hard and slimy. 

 Effusion had now evidently taken place. We treated the animal 

 in the most judicious manner; at least, to the best of our ability. 

 Counter irritants were applied externally, and aperients, diuretics, 

 and alteratives internally. The horse was kept free from excite- 

 ment in the stall, where water and food were brought to her, but 

 all to no purpose. The symptoms rapidly grew worse. From 

 the 6th to the 9th of June, the patient had lost considerable flesh. 

 The bowels had, through the aid of green food and acidulated 

 drink, been kept in a lax state — a condition very favorable under 

 the circumstances. We now determined to try what virtue there 

 was in tapping the chest: for this purpose we pucked up a fold 

 of the skin covering the intercostal space behind, and on a level 

 with the point of the elbow. A slight puncture was now made 

 through the skin — then the trocar and canula were pushed 

 through the intercostal muscles and pleura. Through this aper- 

 ture we caught four and a half gallons of water. A bandage, 

 drawn moderately tight, was wound round the chest, and over this 

 a blanket. After the operation, the respiration appeared more 

 tranquil, yet the operation was of no avail ; the mare died about 

 thirty-six hours afterwards. 



We have had considerable experience in the treatment of 

 hydrothorax, and must confess that it is the most fatal of all chest 

 diseases. Medicines which, under ordinary circumstances, in 

 other diseases of the chest, afford some relief, seem in this disease 

 to be worse than useless ; and if ever we feel disposed to " throw 

 physic to the dogs," it is when treating a case of hydrothorax ; 

 yet in duty to our employer, patient, and lastly, for the sake of 

 our own reputation, we are constrained to use all the means 

 within our power for the patient's recovery. The majority of both 

 human and veterinary practitioners, whose opinions are worth 

 any thing, all agree that the prognosis of hydrothorax is " gen- 

 erally unfavorable ; " that it has seldom been cured, and in many 

 cases will hardly admit even of alleviation. The author of Hip- 

 popatkobgy terms the treatment of the disease now under con- 



