DICTIONARY OF THE VETERINARY ART. 245 



Hydrocele. Dropsy of the testicle and its appendages. 



Hydrophobia. Canine madness. 



Hydrothorax, or Dropsy of the Chest. Mr. Percival 

 informs us, " that the objects to be pursued in the treatment 

 of hydrothorax are twofold : first, we are to diminish any 

 excess of action that may show itself in the sanguineous 

 system,* and thereby lessen the effusion of fluid into the 

 chest ; and secondly, by increasing the action of the absorb- 

 ent system, effect the removal of what is already accumulat- 

 ed." f Most surgeons recommend early tapping in dropsy. 

 The operation may be performed with the common trocar and 

 canula. The best place for the introduction of the instru- 

 ment, is the space between the eighth and ninth ribs, close 

 to their cartilages ; not between the latter, lest the pericar- 

 dium be punctured. Here, making the skin tense with the 

 fingers of the left hand, the instrument, with its point directed 

 upwards and inwards, may, with a little rotary movement, 



# In plain English, abstract blood. This not only diminishes the san- 

 guineous system, but every other function or system. The regulars have 

 tried bloodletting to their hearts' content ; their patients have been rowelled, 

 blistered, calomelized, turpentinized, and hellebored, yet they have never 

 been able to preserve life, " except two solitary cases in Mr. Sewell's prac- 

 tice ;" for Mr. Percival tells us, in his lectures, that "he never saw a case 

 terminate favorably." Is not this a proof that our brethren are on the wrong 

 track ? We are told that the proximate causes of dropsy are, " debility, and 

 an obstructed perspiration ; " and that it may result from " loss of blood, 

 diarrhoea, diabetes, and other circumstances that rapidly exhaust the sys- 

 tem." Hence the processes of cure are just the means calculated to produce 

 the disease. The true indications in the treatment are, to warm and relax 

 the surface, and promote perspiration ; for whatever checks it, stops the 

 egress of morbific matter from the system, and, of course, determines it 

 upon the internal surfaces. Diffusible stimulants may be given, to keep 

 up the action on the surface. The general health must be improved. 



f The action of the absorbent system never was, nor never can be, excited 

 when the lancet is cooperative. Absorption is a physiological result, and 

 cannot be excited by agents that act pathologically. The balance between 

 exhalation and absorption is lost, in consequence of which, more fluid is 

 poured out than is taken up : hence, if we excite the exhalents to throw off 

 the morbid fluids from the surface, there will be less for the absorbent to 

 take up, and the chances of success will be greater. 



