170 DROPSY OF THE BELLY. 



tween the pubis and umbilicus, or navel ; by which no important 

 vessel, nor any thickness of muscle, will be endangered. If a 

 trochar is used, make the puncture at once ; but take care that it 

 does no more than penetrate the cavity. Should a lancet be 

 employed, do the same ; but in this case, a quill having both ends 

 perforate should form a canula after the puncture. The evacua- 

 tion of all the water may be proceeded on at once without fear ; 

 the animal will express no uneasiness nor faintness ; but will con- 

 duct himself as though nothing had happened. A bandage mode- 

 rately tight should be applied round the belly, and retained there 

 many days, or even weeks, to assist the absorbents by its pressure. 

 I have also tried various other means for the evacuation of the 

 water, but they have seldom afforded any permanent benefit. In 

 a very few instances only, diuretics have produced a salutary and 

 durable eflfect : of which class I have found the digitalis, or fox- 

 glove, the very best. Now and then, however, other medicaments 

 of this kind have succeeded when this has failed. I shall, there- 

 fore detail such recipes as appear best suited to the case, observing 

 that, with regard to the foxglove, it is most certain in its effects as 

 a diuretic, as well in the canine as the human species, when it 

 neither occasions sickness nor purging. The dose should, there- 

 fore, be always so regulated as to avoid these effects : — 



No. I. — Powdered foxglove 12 grains 



Antimonial powder 15 grains 



Nitrated potash (nitre) 1 drachm. 



Mix, and divide into nine, twelve, or fifteen parcels, one of which 

 give night and morning. 



No. 2. — Powdered foxglove 9 grains 



Powdered squills 12 grains 



Supertartrate of potash (cream of tartar) 2 drachms. 



Mix, divide, and give as No. 1. 



No. 3. — Oxymel of squills 1 ounce 



Infusion of tobacco (as directed) half an ounce 



Spirits of nitrous aether (sweet spirit of nitre). . . half an ounce 



Tincture of opium half a drachm 



Infusion of chamomile 2 ounces. 



