HYDEOTHOEAX. 589 



severe form in consequence of the foul and close place in 

 which the animal was condemned to stand. 



Symptoms. The acute symptoms of pleurisy subside ; the 

 friction sounds are to a great extent lost; the animal ap- 

 pears lively, and may manifest appetite ; and thus, on aus- 

 cultation, there is a clear respiratory murmur above a 

 certain line, and below this perfect dulness. As fluid accu- 

 mulates, the line limiting the dulness ascends, and the animal 

 becomes extremely depressed, weak, with rigid back, tucked- 

 up flanks, anxious expression of countenance, and the hair is 

 readily pulled out of mane and tail. The pulse is rapid and 

 small, and, as the disease advances, is imperceptible at the 

 jaw. The breathing is short and laboured, and nostrils 

 dilated. GEdematous swellings occur in the limbs, sheath, and 

 over the chest and belly. 



Treatment. In the majority of cases the active employ- 

 ment of purgatives and diuretics the latter being preferable 

 suffices for the treatment of hydrothorax. 

 . I believe that a large majority of cases treated judiciously, 

 without the evacuation of the effused fluid, will recover, 

 whereas veterinary surgeons have been, on the whole, unsuc- 

 cessful when they have resorted to tapping. Digitalis, can- 

 tharides, spirits of nitric ether, and nitre, administered in 

 active doses, and repeated several times during 18 or 24 

 hours, will excite the renal secretion, and change the aspect 

 of a case. Having thus produced a free evacuant effect, 

 sulphate of iron and alum may be administered daily in con- 

 junction with vegetable bitters or aromatics. 



Mr Percivall has said that the treatment of hydrothorax 

 is an affair of desperation. He adds, however : " Hydro- 

 thorax is not necessarily incurable. The cases I have related 

 prove this. Under what circumstances have we much chance 

 of curing? Let us consult our cases again. We find that 



