HYDROTHORAX, OR DROPSY OF THE CHEST. 413 



ever, show itself in paralysis, when the fluid penetrates into, 

 or communicates with, the spinal canal. In the examina- 

 tions made after death, there has been very often found 

 marks of both thoracic and abdominal inflammation : the 

 lateral ventricles have been distended with serosity ; the 

 plexus choroides usually pale, sometimes studded with small 

 tubercular spots ; occasionally they have been much in- 

 jected : the medullary matter has been pale, sometimes less 

 cohesive than natural, as though softened by the fluid. All 

 treatment, hitherto adopted, has proved entirely useless to 

 render the horse of any future service to his master. 



HYDROTHORAX, OR DROPSY OF THE CHEST. 



Hydrothorax consists in a collection of serous fluid within 

 the cavity of one or both pleur8e. It forms a very common 

 termination of pleurisy, and appears to arise in these cases 

 from a peculiar disposition on the part of the arteries of 

 the pleurae to secrete an inordinate quantity of serous in- 

 terstitial fluid, towards the close of the disorder. Many 

 gallons of fluid have been found so formed within a very 

 short space of time. In some instances the fluid has been 

 discovered mixed with pus ; and in others, coagulable 

 masses are found floating in it. 



The prevailing symptoms are, breathing diflicult, and that 

 in the proportion to the water effused in the chest ; the horse 

 is seldom found lying, and if he does recline, it is but for 

 a very short time. A few days of suffering reduces the 

 pulse very much ; while sweUings, almost universal, are 

 seen over the abdomen, the sheath, the thighs, and legs. 

 Moreover, if during the attack the hair of the tail, or of 

 the mane, be pulled, it will generally come out with ease, 

 and by handfuls. 



Treatment. — Mr. Percivall very justly observes, that this 

 is almost an affair of desperation ; and therefore we must 

 the earlier attack our enemy, by supporting the horse with 

 every means at our disposal. To detect water of the chest, 

 apply the ear to the sides, beginning at the bottom, and 

 moving it upwards towards the spine. Where no murmur 

 whatever, nor any sound of any kind can be heard, con- 

 clude that up to the point where silence prevails, water has 

 been effused. But where a murmur, occasioned by the 



