DBOPST.] 



MODERN VETERINARY PRACTICE. 



[dbopbt. 



is such as to carry conviction that you were 

 corrt'ct in your juiisjjmont, puncture the oppo- 

 site cavity in a siiuihir manner. If the droi)sy, 

 or accumulation of thiicl is fully formed that 

 is, if one or both cavities be nearly filled with 

 serosity — less caution is necessary in the intro- 

 duction of the trochar ; and if tlio operation 

 is performed early in the disease (which, in 

 general, it should be, to ensure success), then it 

 is necessary to proceed more cautiously, to 

 avoid puncturing the lungs. 



Having introduced the trochar only bo far 

 as to observe the gush of Uuid, put the can- 

 nula forward, and retract the other so as to 

 have the cannula alone in the orifice. The 

 cannula must be pushed up to its collar, where 

 it will remain until the fluid is all drawn ofY. 



Coagula, or even the inflation of the lungs, 

 is sometimes found to obstruct the flowing of 

 the latter portions of the fluid. To obviate 

 this, introduce a probe into the cannula occa- 

 sionallv, until you are satisfied that the whole 

 has come away. 



When the wh.ole of the fluid has been with- 

 drawn, take out the cannula, and close the 

 orifice by adhesive plaister, or by the common 

 suture. Tou must not think of performing 

 the operation a second time, although this is 

 frequently done with the human subject; for 

 having drawn off the fluid, reliance must be 

 placed on the medicine before prescribed. 

 Should water again accumulate, the debility 

 will be so much the more increased, and the 

 natural consequence will be that the animal 

 will sink under the disease. 



DROPSY OF THE PERICARDIUM. 



Dropsy of the pericardium is an increased 

 collection of fluid in the sac surrounding the 

 heart ; therefore called dropsy of the heart. 

 The symptoms are the same as in the pre- 

 ceding case ; but there is no means of cure 

 for it; therefore, we must submit to nature in 

 this case, and allow her to perform her own 

 operations, obeying her laws. 



Frequently the veterinary surgeon is blamed, 

 in this disease, for the losing of an animal which 

 it was impossible to preserve. 



DROPSY OF THE BELLY. 



This, like the last-named disease, seldom oc- 

 curs in the horse ; but when it does, there is 



frequently great dilliculty in detecting it. It 

 may take place afti-r inllamiualion of noine of 

 ihe abdominal vi.><cera ; and connistM of nii in- 

 creased deposit of fluid within the cavity of 

 the belly. Here is formed what is calKd ihe 

 peritoneal sac, only of such dimensioiiH as to 

 hold its natural organs, such as the stomaclj, 

 liver, intestines, &c. If water escapes into 

 this cavity, it at once becomes a foreif,'n b(uiv, 

 and is known by the tension of the abdomen, 

 and by the undulations which are felt by ono 

 hand, when the belly is gently struck by the 

 other. Also, if the ear is placed on one side 

 of the belly, and some person desired lightly to 

 force the opposite with the hand, the undu- 

 lating motion of the water will be heard per- 

 fectly distinct. 



In this disease, the urine is made in small 

 quantities, the thirst is great, and the breath- 

 ing quick and laborious. This is in conse- 

 quence of the fluid having taken up a portion 

 of the cavity of the abdomen, and the lungs 

 having become pressed upon, and not left suf- 

 ficient room to perform their natural functions. 

 From the abdominal viscera, too, pressing ui)on 

 the diaphragm, the flesh becomes wasted, as 

 well as the adipose matter, which is frequently 

 found fl.oating in the fluid. 



For this continuation of symptoms we can- 

 not always rely on a cure ; but the disease for- 

 tunately happens but seldom, and then it is 

 frequently the sequel of some other disorder of 

 the viscera. If the animal, however, has sta- 

 mina sufiicient, there is a probability of re- 

 covery. Diuretic medicines are the only means 

 to rely on, combined with tonics; and we can- 

 not recommend anything better than the pre^ 

 scription laid down for dropsy in the chest. 

 If possible, give exercise, rub the legs well, and 

 bandage with flannel. AV'e have found a cure, it' 

 taken in time, efl'ected by blistering all fbu' 

 legs ; and where the blisters rise well, this is 

 pretty certain of being the case. 



WATER FARCY, OR DROPSY OF THE SKIN. 



The proi)er name of this disease is anasarca; 

 but we have kept to the name it is generally 

 known by, and that because it most frequently 

 happens with young horses, and consequently, 

 not having left the hands of the agriculturist, 

 who might be somewhat puzzled without the 



local name. 



237 



