220 THE DOG IN DISEASE. 



Treatment. — Much as in other diseases of the chest as 

 to diet, hygienic surroundings, etc. 



Pain must be relieved at once with an opiate, say fif- 

 teen grains of Dover's powder for a dog of fair size. 



Counter-irritation is decidedly useful — e. g., an appli- 

 cation of turpentine, followed by the chest-jacket (see p. 

 226) ; a mild aperient, and aconite to quiet the circula- 

 tion, may all prove useful in this stage of the disease. 



Pleurisy with effusion is dangerous in proportion as 

 the lung space is replaced by fluid and the vital organs 

 displaced. Absorption should be faoilitated by counter- 

 irritation, and every measure that will improve the gen- 

 eral health. 



Some like to administer small doses of calomel, others 

 iodide of potassium and digitalis, to stimulate the kidneys 

 to do extra work, carry off more fluid from the blood, etc. 



But if within a reasonable period the fluid does not 

 disappear, and especially if it tends to increase, or if it be- 

 comes purulent, constituting empyema^ it must be drawn 

 off either with a small trocar and canula {'' tapping ") or 

 an aspirating needle ; but in no case very suddenly or all 

 at once, for fear of heart-failure. The puncture should 

 be made low and far back, and with the position of vital 

 organs in mind. 



Convalescence may be encouraged by the best of food, 

 tonics, etc. 



Chronic pletcrisy^ either as a localized subacute inflam- 

 mation or with eft'usion, which is most common and most 

 serious, is not of very frequent occurrence in dogs of a 

 good constitution. 



The symptoms are much as in the acute form of the 



