Diseases of the Respiratory Organs. 41 



IS with the utmost difficulty it can be checked ; more often 

 it is the case, of which I have had painful experience, that 

 its abatement has not been accomplished, and death has 

 been hastened thereby. 



The remedial measures best adapted to this disease are 

 diffusible stimulants and counter irritation. 



Spt. ^ther Nit 2 ounces. 



Liq. Ammon. Acetat 4 „ 



A teaspoonful every four hours in twice the quantity of lin- 

 seed tea for a small dog, and double of each for a large one. 



Counter-irritation may be applied to the chest in the 

 form of mustard-plasters, ammonia or terebinth embroca- 

 tion, or hot linseed-meal poultices. The temperature of 

 the body should be equalised as much as possible, but due 

 regard to the observance of proper ventilation is necessary. 

 Many persons wrongly imagine that a warm room and the 

 -exclusion of fresh air is equally necessary to the, lower 

 animal as to the higher — a fatal error. 



Where the debility rapidly increases, and there is danger 

 -of effusion taking place, tinct. of ferri, 5 to 10 minims, should 

 be added to each dose of the stimulant. This, from its con- 

 stringent power, is undoubtedly one of the best agents we 

 have for the prevention of dropsies. Where effusion is 

 present the ferri iodidum should be substituted, active 

 counter-irritation applied to the sides, and a seton may be 

 inserted with benefit in front of the chest. It is necessary, 

 however, to observe that where the latter measure is 

 adopted, increased support is needful, from the weakening 

 tendency of the agent. Where the effusion increases, and 

 the case appears hopeless unless the fluid is removed, tap- 

 ping the chest by means of the insertion of a small trochar 

 between the eighth and ninth ribs may be had recourse to. 

 The operation affords immediate relief 1 in removing the 

 compression on the lungs and the displacement of the heart. 

 It is, however, as a rule, but a temporary respite. Secondary 

 secretion follows, and -usually more rapidly than that which 



