102 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE APPARATUS 



ming or interference in the mesenteric system, by cirrhosis of the 

 liver, or some interference in the portal system. These are likely to 

 improve with tapping and symptomatic treatment. But in anasarca, 

 hydrothorax, general dropsy due to a weak heart, or valvular affections 

 of that organ, disorders of the lungs or kidneys, hydrsemia or marasmus; 

 it depends to a large extent on whether we can either restore the af- 

 fected organ to a normal condition, for if they are permanently affected, 

 the condition is generally chronic. Quite often we find affections of 

 the liver and spleen that are never recognized during life. To make 

 an examination of these organs it is well to do it just after the animal 

 has been tapped and the fluid has been removed; the walls of the 

 abdomen are collapsed, and the organs can be manipulated with greater 

 ease at that time. If tumors are present, they are readily recognized. 



Notwithstanding all the etiological conditions described, there are 

 often cases where the cause can only be guessed at. 



Prognosis and Therapeutics. — As a rule, the prognosis is unfavor- 

 able as we are unable to remove the exciting cause. The cases that re- 

 cover are generally in young dogs and the dropsy is the only existing con- 

 dition. In the majority of cases, the ascites disappears spontaneously. 

 Our first effort is to remove the exciting cause, if it is recognized; and 

 then to remove the dropsical effusion, either medicinally or surgically. 

 At the same time the animal should be well fed on highly nitrogen- 

 ous, easily digested food and tonics (see anaemia). This can be done in 

 the following ways: 



1. By Laxatives. — This method is t;o be followed where there is con- 

 stipation associated with the disease. Saline purgatives are the best, 

 glauber salts, epsom or rochelle salts, such laxatives as jalap, podophyl- 

 lum, castor oil, are contraindicated, as they irritate the stomach and 

 destroy the appetite and weaken the animal. The salines are indicated, 

 only in sufficient doses, to cause a slight laxative action, so as not to 

 interfere with the appetite. 



2. Diuretics. — This form of treatment has always been popular to 

 be given and is still much used. These are only used where there is posi- 

 tive evidence that there is no previous irritation of the kidneys. The 

 best are the vegetable diuretics, such as digitalis, strophanthus, caffeine, 

 salicylate of soda, oil of juniper, liq. potassii acetas; among the more 

 recent diuretics are theocin, theobromin, soda salicylate 4.0 to 6.0 in 

 sol., diuretin 4.0 to CO; the best saline drugs are acetate of potassium 

 and sodium. 



I^. Tine, digitalis fol., 1.0 



Liq. potas.sium acetate, 30.0 



Sig. — One tea.spoonful throe times daily. 



