88 SPECIAL VETERINARY THERAPY 



ination, to the extent of confounding a possibly cure- 

 able condition with this one. 



In pulmonary emphysema such structural changes 

 have taken place in the lung that it would be evidence 

 of inferior mental calibre to attempt their repair by 

 medicinal means. Likewise, surgical interference is 

 out of the question, although an operation of section 

 of ribs has been used for relief of the dyspnea induced 

 by pulmonary emphysema. 



In the treatment of the dyspnea from pulmonary 

 emphysema, no set rule should be adhered to. Al- 

 though the pathology is identical in all cases the res- 

 ponse to various forms of treatment varies greatly. 

 Many cases can be much improved with ordinary anti- 

 acid treatment, such as bicarbonate of sodium, sodium 

 borate and similar salts. In other cases arsenic works 

 wonders. 



A valuable drug in this disease which has not come 

 much into use among veterinarians in America, is 

 grindelia. The fluid extract is the most convenient form 

 and the effect is usually very gratifying. 



It is always well to begin with a small dose which 

 should be gradually increased until the desired effect is 

 obtained. 



Arecoline has been recommended as a diagnostic 

 agent for pulmonary emphysema, but is unreliable be- 

 cause it has the same effect in cases of functional neu- 

 rosis such as asthma and bronchio-spasm, that it has 

 on pulmonary emphysema. 



It is doubtful whether definite diagnosis is possible 

 by any other means than auscultation and percussion. 



