474 A LIST OF THE MEDICINES USED IX 



drain. It should he attempted early. Recourse sliould be had to tlie opura- 

 tion as soon as it is ascertained that there is considerable fluid in the ches^ 

 for the animal will at least be reheved for a while, and some time will 

 have been given for repose to the overlaboured lungs, and for the system 

 generally to be recruited. The fluid will be evacuated before the lungs 

 are too much debihtated by laborious action against the pressure of the 

 water, and a state of collapse brought on, from which they will be incapable 

 of recovering. They only who have seen the collapsed and condensed 

 state of the lung that had been long compressed by the fluid, can conceive 

 of the extent to which this is carried. It should be added — a fact im- 

 portant and alarming — that the records of veterinary surgery contain 

 very few cases of permanently successful performance of the operation. 

 This should not discourage the practitioner from attempting it, but should 

 induce him to consider whether he raay not perform it under happier 

 auspices, before the lungs and the seroiis membrane which lines the 

 cavity have been too much disorganised, and the constitution itself sadly 

 debilitated. There could not be any well-founded objection to an earlier 

 resort to paracentesis, and he must be a bungler indeed who wounded 

 any important part. 



It should be ascertained by auscultation whether there is fluid in both 

 cavities. If there should be, and in considerable quantity, it will not be 

 prudent to operate on both sides at once. If much fluid is discharged, 

 there will be acceleration and difiiculty of respiration to a very great 

 degree. The practitioner must not be alarmed at this ; it will pass over, 

 and on the next day he may attack the other side ; or open both at once, 

 if there is but little fluid in either. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 



A LIST OF THE MEDICINES USED IN THE TREATMENT OF THE 

 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



He wiU rarely consult his own interest, who, not having had the advan- 

 tage of a veterinary education, undertakes the treatment of any of the 

 serious diseases of his horses. Many of the maladies of the horse nearly 

 resemble each other. They are continually varying their character, and 

 require, in their difierent stages, a very different treatment ; and in the 

 plainest case not only the characteristic symptoms of disease are obscure, 

 but even the indications of returning health, or increasing danger, are 

 often scarcely ascertainable, consequently the sick horse, as well as the 

 huijian being, needs the care of one whom study and experience have 

 qualified for the task. A list of tho drugs generally employed, with a 

 slight account of their history, adulterations, and medicinal efiects, will be 

 interesting to the horse-proprietor as well as to the veterinary surgeon ; 

 and may occasionally be useful when professional aid cannot be obtained. 



Frequent reference will be made to Professor Morton's most valuable 

 Manual of Pharmacy. This work will be foiuid to be a treasure to every 

 veterinary surgeon. Mr. W. C. Spooner's Materia Medica, in his recent 

 compendium of White's account of the horse, will occasionally be laid 

 under contribution. 



AcACTA GuMMi. — Many vai'ieties of rjimi arabic are procured from Africri, 

 Arabia, and the East Indies. It is an exudation from the trunk and 



