200 THE VETERINARY DOCTOR. 
belly and sheath. In asetfes the helly gradually swells so that alternate 
and rapid pressure by the hand on the sides will produce fluctuations of 
water and a dull sound; breathing becomes difficult as the water increases; 
usually external swellings of the belly and sheath follow; coat dry and 
loose; urine thick and sedimentous; skin hide-bound; griping pains; the 
usual costiveness is followed by diarrhea, with offensive dung. 
TREATMENT.—Give aconite for inflammatory general dropsy, when 
the swelling comes on suddenly and rapidly spreads, with hastened breath- 
ing and pulse, thirst, reddening of the eyes and nostrils; and also if this 
condition results from a sudden check of the secretions of the skin from 
exposure to wet or cold. Arsenicum is of the highest value in all forms of 
dropsy that are marked, in addition to the swelling, by weakness, emacia- 
tion, loss of spirits, great thirst, loss of appetite, dry tongue, difficult 
breathing, small, weak and itregular pulse, cold legs, scanty and turbid 
urine, and diarrhea. Digitalis may be given when the heart is implicated 
aud the pulse is small, feeble, intermittent and irregular, breathing difficult, 
and urine scanty. It is useful in almost every kind of dropsy, even in des- 
perate cases, and may often be beneficially alternated with arsenicum. Apis 
is highly useful, especially when fever-difficulties are present, such as 
hurried breathing, small and quick pulse; for passages of urine which forms 
a reddish sediment and for rapid swellings. It is particularly valuable 
for ascites in the first stages, and is also useful for hydrothorax. In the 
general care measures should be taken to avoid cold, dampness, and vigorous 
exercise, though a little walking for an hour may be given, if no fever- 
symptoms exist. Let the horse take exercise in a loose box during inflam- 
matory dropsy, and give mashes of green food; but barley, boiled oats and 
the best of hay are needed if there be much weakness. Tapping should 
not be resorted to until a fair trial of medicines has been given. This 
operation is performed in ascites by cutting the navel with a lancet, the 
fluid being drawn with the trocar and canula, the skin drawn over the 
cut, and pressure applied with bandages. In other forms the swellings may 
be pricked in the parts hanging down the most, the discharges being sub- 
sequently promoted by fomentations and pressure applied to the parts. 
SPLENIC FEVER.—ANTHRAX. 
This fever is acute and contagious, is marked by a great enlarge- 
ment of the spleen, and is rapid in its progress. It is caused by the con- 
tact of an infected animal with one that is healthy. It is more common 
among cattle than among horses. For fuller notes upon its different forms, 
see this disease in the Ox. 
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