THE THORACIC AND ABDOMINAL WALLS 155 



Steele have confirmed its value in human patients {British Medical 

 Journal^ July 15, 1905). Reading of the recoveries obtained in human 

 practice, the author was induced to try it in veterinary patients, the result 

 being to confirm its beneficial effects. The method of using is to with- 

 draw as much of the fluid as possible, and inject from half a drachm to a 

 drachm of adrenalin chloride (i in 1.000), diluted with from two drachms 

 to two ounces of sterilized water, before the cannula is withdrawn. The 

 wound is' sealed with collodion, and the exterior of the chest or abdominal 

 wall is massaged to spread the fluid about as much as possible. It is 

 supposed that the beneficial results attained are due to the property which 

 adrenalin chloride possesses, when added to the serous exudation, of 

 causing rapid coagulation, with immediate formation of flakes or bands 

 of lymph. 



Prognosis. — If done with antiseptic precautions, exploration 

 of the chest with a fine trocar and cannula may be resorted 

 to again and again without fear. 



Although cases do occasionally receive permanent benefit, ^ 

 the prognosis must always be guarded, as the relief given 

 may only be temporary, and very often more fluid is formed 

 and has to be removed within a few weeks. Potassium iodide 

 administered internally is said to have a beneficial effect m 

 preventing the re-formation of fluid, and in aiding the absorp- 

 tion of any that may be left, quinine and strychnine being 

 also recommended to give tone to the system ; but cases 

 of complete recovery are few and far between. Life may 

 certainly be prolonged for some months by repeated tapping, 

 and if recovery does take place, the patient should be care- 

 fully looked after for a long time. 



Tumours of the Chest WaU. 



The chest wall, in common with other parts of the body 

 surfaces, is apt to be the site of tumour growths, and at times 

 these grow to enormous size, as shown in Figs. 47 and 122. 



The patient (Fig. 121) was an adult fox-terrier, male, with a huge 

 tumour hanging from a litde to the right of the middle line in the pectoral 

 region. The surface was bosselated and almost warty in appearance ; 

 contact with the ground had caused a few suppurating sores, but other- 



^ Veterinary Journal, No\ember, 1905 (K. Lewis Green, M.R.C.V.S.). 



