64 DISEASES OF THE PLEURA 



Diagnosis.— The diagnosis depends upon the painful 

 respiration, pain on palpation, abdominal type of respiration, 

 and the presence of fluid in the thoracic cavity. History of 

 injury may also aid materially. 



Prognosis.— Usually favorable in mild, acute cases or when 

 local; the generalized purulent forms rarely recover. 



Treatment. — Hygienic— It is necessary that the animal be 

 kept in a warm and well ventilated place but free from 

 draughts of cold, moist air. 



Dietetic— Concentrated food should be given 3 or 4 times 

 daily, using warm milk, eggs or extract of beef. 



Medical.— In the very early stages of pleuritis when the 

 frictional sounds are present, cold applications to the walls 

 of the thorax are indicated (cold water compresses, ice packs, 

 etc.). The refrigeration from these cold applications pene- 

 trates the walls and contracts the vessels, thus relieving the 

 congestion of the pleura. Later (two or three days) warm, 

 moist compresses are indicated to increase the circulation 

 which will modify the inflammatory process and hasten the 

 absorption of the fluid. In addition to this, counterirritants 

 (oil of mustard and alcohol 1-20, tincture of cantharides, 

 etc.) could be used to continue the same process. When the 

 cough is severe, narcotic agents (morphin sulphate 0.025 

 daily) can be used to allay the irritation. Quinin sulphate 

 (0.2 three times daily) may be used to control the tempera- 

 ture and pulse if they become too high. Encourage diuresis 

 by using fluidextract of digitalis (0.1-0.2 daily) or diuretin 

 (0.2-0.5 three times daily). If constipation be present 

 catharsis may be produced by the use of calomel (0.05-0.5 

 daily) or magnesium sulphate (5.0-10.0) to produce a hydra- 

 gogue action. When fluid is present absorption may be 

 induced by the use of potassium iodid (0.2-0.3 three times 

 daily) or pilocarpin (0.005-0.1) except in cases of feeble 

 heart action when they must be used sparingly. 



Surgical.— The effusion will require aspiration under the 

 following conditions: (a) When it excites much dyspnea; 

 (b) when in large quantities; (c) when purulent; (d) when it 

 remains unabsorbed after ten to twenty days' treatment. 



Thoracentesis is performed by the use of a thoroughly 



