HYDROTHORAX. 24 t 



been recommended in the case of inflammation of the lungs. 

 The application of blankets saturated with hot water and kept 

 round the body for several hours is very beneficial Give one 

 of the following powders on the tongue every hour : — of calomel 

 one drachm ; lactucarium (the juice of the common garden 

 lettuce) two drachms ; divide into three powders. In two hours 

 after giving the last powder, give the following drench : liquor 

 ammonia acetatis four ounces ; sulphuric ether one ounce ; 

 tincture of aconite ten drops ; water one pint. If no improve- 

 ment takes place within six hours, give half a drachm of the 

 extract of belladonna in a pail of water every three hours ; con- 

 tinue this until the pupils of the eye dilate, or a favorable 

 change otherwise takes place. If the pulse is weak, give two 

 ounces of nitrous ether; one ounce tincture of opium ; and half 

 a pint of tepid water ; but do not repeat the dose. The ani- 

 mal must be kept upon a low diet ; no hay or corn should be 

 given ; carrots and green food may be used sparingly ; give 

 water frequently ; injections of soap and water are necessary 

 from the first attack. After the animal becomes convalescent, 

 strong tonics must be given, as the case may even then terminate 

 in dropsy of the chest. Nux vomica should be given in half- 

 drachm doses in the feed at night ; or half-drachm doses of the 

 iodide of potassa dissolved in a pail of water may be given three 

 times a da v. 



HYDKOTHOKAX. 



Dropsy of the chest, or hydrothorax, is usually the termina- 

 tion of pleurisy in cases where bleeding or long-continued seda- 

 tive medication has been practised. The fluid contained within 

 the chest, if following an acute attack of pleurisy, is a beauti- 



