ABDOMINAL DROPSY 103 



I^. Agurin, 2 to 6.0 



Aqua menth. pip, 150.0 



Sig. — Tablespoonful three times daily. 



3. Hydrochlorate of Pilocarpine. — We may sometimes obtain very 

 good results with this drug. The injection of the solution subcutane- 

 ously is made once daily (0.005 to 0.01 of water). Zahn gave three drops 

 of the 1 per cent, solution on the tongue, three times daily. The admin- 

 istration of this drug causes the amount of saliva to be greatly increased, 

 and the amount of fluid exudates to be very much decreased. Frohner 

 recommends Arecolin. 



4. Tapping or Puncture of the Abdomen. — This is indicated where 

 there is a large collection of fluid, that is pressing on the diaphragm, 

 and also used as a diagnostic procedure. Whether it is best to re- 

 move the fluid in all cases is a question that has not yet been decided; 

 yet the writer is of the opinion that the fluid should be removed, pro- 

 vided the animal is roljust and not too old, especially as the operation is 

 comparatively harmless, and has the advantage over purgatives and 

 diuretics in that the accumulation is removed ciuickl3\ In a great 

 number of cases the fluid has not accumulated after one or more punc- 

 tures. Friedberger and Frohner have seen old dogs that have died dur- 

 ing, or shortly after, the operation. The method of puncturing or tap- 

 ping is to take the ordinary trocar, a narrow caliber one is best, even if 

 it takes a long time to drain out. We also avoid unconsciousness, which 

 sometimes occurs where a large quantity is drained out too suddenly. 

 During the operation the pulse, respiration, and general appearance 

 of the animal must be watched carefully, in case the animal might col- 

 lapse from the shock. In such an event, the trocar must be removed 

 instantly and a subcutaneous injection of spirits of camphor must be 

 given. The trocar should always be boiled, immediately before using. 



The method of operating is very simple. The place to insert the 

 catheter is generally about the umbilical region, on or to one side of the 

 linea alba. The animal should be placed in a standing position. Should 

 the canula become plugged either by the omentum or intestines coming 

 against the opening of the canula, it should be pulled downward, or moved 

 to one side or introduce an elastic catheter and push them to one side. 

 After the fluid has ceased to flow, remove the catheter and paint the 

 opening with collodion. 



