316 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. 



On the second day, two or three times a day give : 



'So. 47. 2 Fluid ounces solution of acetate of ammonia^ 



1 Oz. nitrous ether. 



Mix with water and administer from the bottle. 



If this treatment does not seem to be giving relief at the end of threw 

 to five days, draw off the liquid by tapping the chest. It is a simple and 

 safe operation and will give relief unless treatment has been too long de- 

 layed, so that there is an accumulation of substances that will obstruct 

 the mouth of the canula and prevent the flow of the liquid. The instru- 

 ment to be used, the trocar, armed with a stylet, must not be large, as 

 drawing off the water too suddenly would prove fatal. The smallest of 

 those made for human practice is large enough, but it must be of greater 

 length. Having the instrument, and that in good condition, select a place 

 behind and about on a level with the elbow, and take a small portion oi 

 skin, between the eighth and ninth ribs, which must be pulled forward. 

 Then make a narrow slit with a sharp knife upon the place which the 

 skin originally covered. Still holding the skin gathered forward, insert 

 the armed trocar into this opening and press it with such force as suffices 

 to push it gradually onward until resistance ceases. It is then within the^ 

 cavity of the thorax, and the stilet must be ^vithdrawn, whereupon the 

 water usually begins to flow out. Take all the water you can get if the 

 horse will suffer so much to be withdrawn ; but if at any time during the 

 operation he shows signs of faintness, withdraw the trocar and let the 

 skin fly back. It is necessary always to have the skin drawn forward so 

 that on returning it may cover the wound lest the air may enter the chest 

 from the outside, which would prove quickly fatal. In an hour or two 

 after the first attempt a second may be made but the trocar must be in- 

 serted in a new place, as the first wound might be irritated by an effort 

 to re-insert the instrument. 



There is sometimes apprehension lest this operation may injure an 

 artery by approaching too near the posterior border of a rib, but this is 

 groundless, as the artery is protected by the groove through which it 

 travels. 



If the trocar is properly inserted, and no water flows, the case may b» 

 regarded as well nigh hopeless. A whalebone may be inserted to break 

 away the pus or whatever substance may line the thorax, but this is not 

 known to have ever resulted in any good. 



If there is fluid on both sides, it should be drawn off on both sides at 

 the same time, to prevent pressure upon the delicate divisions of the 

 ■ihest. The fluid is generally confined, however, to one side. 



The operator should stay by the animal during the slow abstraction ol 



