DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 59 



such as hay, cornstalks, linseed cake, grass, etc., and iodide of potas- 

 sium should be given in drain doses dissolved in a pint of water three 

 times a day. 



DROPSY OF THE ABDOMEN ASCITES. 



In this disease there is a serous or watery effusion in the cavity of 

 the abdomen. 



Causes. When old animals are worked and fed on innutritions food 

 they become what is termed aua?mic; or, iu other words, their blood 

 becomes impoverished and dropsy is a common result of such treat- 

 ment. An innutritions and insufficient diet will produce the same 

 effect in young animals. The exposure of cattle to sudden changes of 

 temperature and the chilling effect of cold and wet acting on the skin 

 may develop this disease. It is one of the results of peritonitis, and 

 may also arise from acute or chronic inflammation of the liver, such as 

 is of common occurrence when flukes are present in the liver in large 

 numbers. When dropsy depends on disease of the liver it develops 

 very gradually, and this may also be said in regard to it when its occur- 

 rence is associated with an insufficient amount of nutriment having 

 been supplied to the animal. 



Symptom*. A gradual increase in the size of the abdomen at its 

 lower part, while the flanks become hollow; pallor of the mucous mem- 

 brane of the month and eye; weak and sluggish gait; want of appetite, 

 and irregularity in ruminating. On percussion or tapping the surface 

 of tin- abdomen with the fingers a dull sound is produced. If the hand 

 and arm an- oiled and passed into the rectum as far as possible, on 

 moving tho hand from one side to the other, the fluctuation caused by 

 the presence of fluid in the abdomen may be felt. 



Treatment. The diet should be nutritious, and in those cases where 

 we have merely to deal with ana-niia (the bloodless state) arising from 

 insufficient diet the use of tonics and diuretics, at the same time keep- 

 ing the skin warm, will bring about a gradual absorption of the fluid 

 contained in the abdomen. One of the following powders should be 

 mixed with the animal's food three times a day; or, if there is any 

 uncertainty as to its being taken in that way, it should be mixed with 

 sirup, so as to form a paste, and smeared well back on the animal's 

 tongue with a flat wooden spoon: Carbonate of iron,- 3 ounces; pow- 

 dered gentian, 3 ounces ; powdered nitrate of potash, 3 ounces. Mix 

 and divide into twelve powders. The administration of purgatives 

 which promote a watery discharge from the mucous surface of tho bow- 

 els, also tends, by diminishing the serum of the blood, to bring about 

 ;ili-..r])tioii ami a gradual removal of the fluid contained in the abdo- 

 men. L.I i _: <!'-, , ^hould not be given, but moderate dosvs should be 

 administered morning and night, so as to produce a laxative effect on 

 the bowels for some days. To attain this end the following may be 

 used: Sulphate of soda, 8 ounces; powdered ginger, half an ounce; 

 mix in 2 quarts of tepid water, and then give at one dose. 



