GENERAL, CONTAGIOUS, AND ENZOOTIC DISEASES. 267 



may be applied to tlie inflamed parts, and followed by linseed meal poul- 

 tices over the blistered parts, to j)romote the flow of serum. 



DROPSY. 



Synonyms. — Ascites; (Edema; Hydrothorax, 



Definition. — A watery effusion which collects under the skin of the 

 belly, sheath, and sometimes the legs and chest; still more rarely in the 

 testicles. 



Etiology. — An effusion of serum, which produces soft, pitting swell- 

 ing, may result from a diminished and retarded, or from a retarded 

 though not diminished state of the circulation; or it may result from a 

 poor impoverished condition of the blood; or all these causes or some of 

 them may exist in combination, though ascites most frequently results 

 from diseases of the liver, the heart, and from indigestion of improper 

 food. 



Dropsy may also occur from any cause, such as a sudden chill or ex- 

 posure, which disturbs or arrests the two processes of exhalation and ab- 

 sorption, natural to all secreting surfaces in health. 



Dropsical swellings, which are distinguished from the foregoing by 

 the symptoms of heat, tenderness and pain, result from congestion of 

 the blood-vessels under the influence of inflammatory action. 



The abnormal disposition to effusion, as the result of congestion, 

 generally arises from a weak or debilitated constitution, or from a circu- 

 lation which has become deficient in tone and vigor. The attacks of in- 

 flammation which end in dropsical swellings are generally very acute. 

 The swelling itself in such cases is formed very suddenly and rapidly. 



Symptoms. — Enlargement of the belly and sheath, a dull sound on 

 percussion, and the fluctuation of the contained fluid on pressure. As 

 the fluid increases the breathing becomes thoracic, the bowels irregular, 

 and the coat rough and unthrifty. If the disease has progressed as far as 

 this, the case is usually hopeless. • 



Treatment. — If caused by improper food, a change to generous diet 

 with occasional aperients as: 



Linseed oil 1 pint 



Or, 



