588 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 



the belly. It is not very often seen, unless in connection with 

 some other disease. 



Causes. — It is usually the result of chronic peritoneal inflam- 

 mation, or a sympathetic extension, or accompaniment of " water 

 in the chest " (hydrothorax), chronic disease of some important or- 

 gan contained in the belly, which it invest^. Occasionally it occurs 

 in conjunction with enlarged liver or spleen. Sometimes also from 

 impeded circulation, consequent on abnormal tumors pressing on 

 some important vessels ; and upquestionably, as in the human sub- 

 ject, some animals have a dropsical tendency (diathesis). 



Symptoms. — The animal is observed to be dull and inactive, 

 the bowels are costive, and the urine scanty ; he is always thirsty, 

 watery swelling appears, between the fore legs, which soon extends 

 backward along to the sheath or udder ; the belly is large, and 

 when struck, emits a dull, heavy sound. As it goes on, the breath- 

 ing becomes rapid, and the pulse quick and small, the thirst intense, 

 the appetite fails, the enlargement of the belly becomes more per- 

 ceptible, the external swelling greater, and the breathing much in- 

 creased ; as death approaches, 'the pulse, becomes imperceptible, 

 and as Blaine remarks, " the peritoneal inflammation produces 

 colicky symptoms frequently, and in this way being occasionally 

 but little disturbed, and at other times very ill, a few active symp- 

 toms carry off the poor beast." 



Treatment. — When the watery effusion is extensive, few cases 

 recover ; however, much can be done to arrest it in the early stages ; 

 the prospects of recovery, of course, depend a good deal on the 

 cause of complaint ; when accompanied by hydrothorax, it almost 

 invariably proves fatal, The strength from the first must be har- 

 "bored, 'stimulants must be given from the beginning; open the 

 bowels by an active purgative, smart friction being frequently ap- 

 plied to the belly, or if the swelling is considerable, it should be 

 supported by bandages ; should the state of the patient permit, 

 walking exercise should be persevered in. The following ball 

 should be given daily : — 



Iodine ; 1 dr. 



Iodide of potassium 1 dr. 



Linseed meal and soft soap sufficient to form a ball. 

 '. Occasional dbses of sweet niter and warm beer should be given. 

 Free scarifications with a lancet or, sharp knife should be made in 

 the swelling. 



Tonics should be more early used than they generally are ; a 

 very good tonic ball in these cases consists of — 4 



