DROPSY OF THE SKIN. 171 



Mix, and give from two tea-spoonfuls, to a large table- spoonful, 

 night and morning. The tobacco infusion may be made by 

 pouring two ounces of boiling water on a drachm of tobacco. 



I have, in some instances, combined calomel with the other re- 

 medies to the amount of half a grain, or a grain, night and 

 morning ; and this apparently with benefit. I have also tried the 

 effect of strong mercurial purges twice a week, in cases where 

 diurectic medicines failed of relieving. Friction and the wai*m 

 bath have been also used, but without apparent advantages. In 

 the few dropsies wherein diuretics succeeded, active stomachic 

 tonics followed their use : in some instances they accompanied them. 

 Nor should these be omitted where tapping is employed, as the only 

 means likely to prevent the belly from again filling. 



DROPSY OF THE SKIN (ANASARCA). 



As before observed, this complaint very seldom occurs, unless 

 as an accompaniment of ascites. I have, however, now and then 

 seen it, and, in most of the cases, it was in old dogs, who had 

 laboured under some previous debility. In such instances, when 

 any remaining stamina affords a chance for recovery, the treatment 

 recommended for dropsy of the belly may be resorted to : very 

 small punctures may also be made in the distended skin. 



Hydrocephalus internus, or dropsy of the brain, can hardly be 

 said to belong to the canine nosology ; but on turning to the de- 

 scription of epilepsy, it will be seen, that morbid anatomy has 

 . shewn a diseased increase of the serous fluid of the cerebral cavity 

 to be no uncommon circumstance. 



Hydrorachitis, or dropsy of the spine, by reference to former 

 articles, will be found to exist without its congenital character, and 

 that, perhaps more often than we at present suppose. 



^ In one case, one part of oil turpentine, with t^vo parts of olive oil rubbed 

 into the belly night and morning, appeared to excite absorption ; but it must 

 be noticed, that the turpentine was also given at the same time internally, to 

 the amount of thirty drops twice a-day. 



