THE THORACIC AND ABDOMINAL WALLS 



157 



behind the umbilicus. The patient is fixed on its side, and 

 after the removal of the hair and thorough disinfection of the 

 part a small trocar and cannula are introduced subcutaneously 

 for about half an inch, and turned cautiously into the 

 abdomen ; the stilette is then immediately withdrawn. Care 

 must be taken with the abdominal wall, so as not to injure 

 any of the abdominal organs. The method of procedure 



Fig. 122.— Cross-bred Mastiff with Dropsy of the Abdomen (Ascites). 



I, Site of paracentesis thoracis operation ; 2, site of paracentesis abdominis 

 operation. 



afterwards is the same as already described in the preceding 

 paragraph (paracentesis thoracis), the maximum amount of 

 adrenalin being injected; very large quantities are sometimes 

 removed. ■"■ 



The subject of the iUustration (Fig. 122) was a mongrel mastiff, five and 

 a half years old, with a history that the owner had observed a gradual 

 increase in the size of the abdomen during the past four months. On 

 June 2, 1899, paracentesis abdominis was performed, and 5| gallons 

 of fluid were removed, some warm chinosol lotion being injected up 

 the cannula afterwards. The relief afforded to the patient was imme- 

 diately obvious, and no further operation was necessary for some four 

 months, although at this period (October) there was some evidence which 

 appeared to point to the fact that the abdomen was slowly refilling. 



1 Journal of Comparative Pathology and Therapeutics, vol. xii., p. 262. 



