GENERAL DISEASES. 



3°9 



" In ascites the enlargement is uniform and symmetrical, 

 in respect of the two sides of the body. When the patient 

 lies on her back the flanks bulge outwards, or sway over 

 from the weight and lateral pressure of the augmenting fluid. 

 This increased breadth of the trunk is not observable in the 

 case of an ovarian tumor ; nor, I may add, in pregnancy." 



Blaine says : " Dropsy of the belly may be distinguished 

 from fat, by the particular tumor that the belly forms, which, 

 in dropsy, hangs down, while the backbone sticks up, and the 

 hips appear prominent through the skin ; the hair stares also, 

 and the coat is peculiarly harsh. It may be distinguished 

 from being in pup by the teats, which always enlarge as the 

 belly enlarges in pregnancy ; but more particularly it may be 

 distinguished by the undulation of the water in the belly, 

 whereas in pregnancy there is no undulation. The impreg- 

 nated belly, however full, has not that tight tense feel nor 

 shining appearance observed in dropsy. There may be also 

 inequalities distinguished in it, which are the puppies, and, 

 when pregnancy is at all advanced, the young may be felt to 

 move. The most unequivocal mode, however, of detecting 

 the presence of water is by the touch. If the right hand is 

 laid on one side of the belly, and with the left hand the 

 other side is tapped, and undulating motion will be per- 

 ceived, exactly similar to what would be felt by placing 

 one hand on a bladder of water, and striking it with the 

 other." 



" Youatt observes : " The dog is peculiarly subject to 

 ascites or dropsy of the belly, and the quantity of fluid contained 

 in the abdomen is sometimes almost incredible. It is usually 

 accompanied or characterized by a weak, unequal, small, and 

 frequent pulse — ^paleness of the lips, tongue and gums — 

 flaccidity of the muscles, hurried breathing on the least exer- 

 tion, feebleness of the joints, swellings of the lower limbs, 

 effusion of fluid into the integuments, or among the muscles, 

 before there is any considerable effusion into the thorax or the 

 abdomen, and an unhealthy appearance of the cutaneous 



