418 WATER FARCY. 



WATER FARCY. 



This Protean complaint defies definition. At the close of 

 long febrile afi'ections the oedema is such as not only to 

 tumefy the lymphatics, but sometimes to make its way 

 externally by ulceration or by rupture of the vessels of the 

 skin. The aflfection, by a very easy transition, can degene- 

 rate into cracks or grease. Its treatment involves all we 

 have already detailed on hydrothorax and ascites : — internal 

 tonics ; but more potent external stimulants, by punctures, 

 by blisters, by friction, and by sustaining bandages ; liberal 

 feeding ; mild but continued exercise. The free use of green 

 food, however, as being at once diuretic yet laxative, is in- 

 dicated ; or in winter spear the corn, or give carrots, &c. 

 &c. ; for succulent vegetable matter is of much conse- 

 quence. 



Water farcy, therefore, has as much to do with anasarca 

 as with either true farcy or glanders. Gibson is not very 

 wide of the mark when he describes it as of two kinds ; one 

 resulting from febrile attacks, the other partaking of the 

 nature of dropsy. A limb in these cases is often suddenly 

 seen to be gorged, and sometimes so, as to press out 

 the diseased accumulations, which hang around it like 

 dew drops. One singularity of it, w^hich is noticed by 

 Mr. Percivall, and must have been also observed by others, 

 is, that it often confines its attack to one limb only. It 

 will sometimes break out in a state of grease ; and some- 

 times it will extend itself to the opposite limb also. 



The treatment of water farcy should be prompt, or true 

 farcy may follow. The limb is hot and tender, and four 

 quarts of blood in this case may be taken from the sephena 

 vein, to increase the absorption ; a mild purgative warmed 

 with carminatives may likewise be administered. Should 

 these not produce the effect, mildly blister the limb, and 

 give tonics, mixed with the iodide of potassium, in the form 

 recommended for hydrothorax. If the swelling does not 

 after all return to its healthy size, the appearance of farcy 

 at some distant period may be expected. 



