THE HORSE, ITS DISEASES. 317 



the water, so that upon any sign of faintness he may withdraw the trocar 

 and prevent death through sudden collapse. 



After the water is pretty thoroughly drawn off, be careful to give the 

 patient as much nourishing and carefully prepared food as he will con- 

 «ume ; and the following tonic ball should be administered night and 

 waorning for several times on alternate days : 



No. 48. 1 Drachm iodide of irou, 



>i Grain strychnia, 

 }i Drachm sulphate of zinc. 

 4 Drachms extract of gentian. 



rV. Dropsy of the Skin of the Chest. 



dauses. — This is an effusion of fluid underneath the sWin of the chest \ 

 and it is a sequel to various diseases — beginning generally to manifest 

 itself only after the animal is reduced to a debilitated state. It is most 

 likely to occur in the Spring and in the Fall of the y^-ar, at the time of 

 changing the coat. 



How to Know it. — A swelling appears on the ckiest and somewhat 

 between the forelegs ; and its dropsical character may be known by ita 

 yielding to pressure of the fingers with a fluctuating feeling. 



What to do. — If it is the accompaniment of any more general disorder 

 the first thing, of course, is to remove that primary disease. Meanwhile 

 if the fluid accumulates in any considerable quantity, draw it off with the 

 trocar; and if there is not too much soreness, subject the part to regular 

 and moderately vigorous friction occasionally for some days. 



Diuretics are always good in these dropsical complaints. No. 45 is 

 good. It is important that the bowels be kept regular, and that good 

 nutritious food, as boiled oats or boiled barley, with wheat bran, be given 

 regularly, and in sufficient quantity to nourish well. Give 4 drs. of 

 gentian every other day for a week or two. 



It must be remembered that these medicines are to be given only m 

 case there is no treatment in progress for a more general disorder, 



V. Dropsy of the Scrotnm. 



Causes. — This is usually found in connection with dropsy of the abdo- 

 men, and arises from either local injury and consequent inflammation, 

 followed by effusion, or by sympathy from that cause which has produced 

 the general abdominal trouble. 



How to Know it. — It is readily known by a chronic distension of the 

 part, except when mistaken for scrotal hernia or rupture, from which it 



