ASCITES — DROPSY. 1 97 



nels wrung out of boiling water and continuously applied to the 

 abdomen afford relief; the horse should have a supply of cold 

 water near at hand in order to partake thereof as frequentl}^ as 

 may be desired; when the worst of the pain is over a wet compress 

 should be constantly applied to the abdomen for some days, and 

 the food should be of a light, unstimulating character, adminis- 

 tered in small quantities at a time, and not too frequently; perfect 

 quiet is also very essential. 



ASCITES. 



DROPSY. 



This form of dropsy is peculiar to the abdomen, and arises from 

 the development of a fluid in the peritoneum; it sometimes fol- 

 lows an attack of peritonitis, and consists of a collection of fluid in 

 the cavity of the abdomen round which the peritoneum forms an 

 encircling fold; ascites is veiy frequently due to a diseased condi- 

 tion of other organs, namely, the heart, liver and kidney's, con- 

 nected \vith which an obstruction of the venous system is associa- 

 ted, bringing about an escape of the fluid constituents of the 

 blood, through the walls of the veins; in this w^a}'- and at such 

 times sw^elling of the limbs is often observed, which is due to the 

 same cause; also the animal is dull and devoid of all natural 

 spirit; bears a generally unthrifty appearance; has capricious 

 appetite; rarely lies down, and when it does, remains in that posi- 

 tion but a short time; in addition to the swelling of the limbs, the 

 abdomen becomes enlarged and pendulous and the skin along the 

 middle line of the belly is swollen, pits on pressure, and there- 

 after fills up again. The visible mucous membranes are pale and 

 anaemic, the pulse is weak, and often intermittent; the urine is 

 scanty, high-colored and thick; when the abdomen is very much 

 enlarged and the collection of fluid is extensive around the intes- 

 tines, the pressure upon the diaphragm is so great that the breath- 

 ing becomes labored and difficult, and is performed almost entirely 

 by the thoracic walls, which is recognized by the heaving and ex- 

 pansion of the ribs. 



Treatment. — Apocynum Cannabinum i-^. — This remedy is 

 credited with possessing a remarkable power over dropsy, and Dr. 



