34 CANINE MEDICINE AND SURGERY 



be applied to the thoracic walls, either in the form 

 of cataplasma kaolini, or mustard or oleum sinapis, 

 and a firm supporting bandage placed around the 

 chest to immobilize the ribs. The relief from pain 

 given by thus fixing the ribs is most marked. 



When efifusion has taken place, efforts must be 

 made to hasten its reabsorption and elimination. 

 This may be done by purgatives and diuretics. By 

 their alterative and diuretic actions potassium iodid 

 or ammonium iodid is of great service here. 

 Codein in one-fourth grain doses, repeated as re- 

 quired, will control the cough which, if present, is 

 always distressing. Where the efifusion is so exces- 

 sive as to cause great difficulty in breathing, with 

 symptoms of asphyxia, paracentesis thoracis should 

 not be delayed, but promptly performed. The main 

 danger lies in delaying the operation after the 

 necessity for it is recognized, the patient's vitality 

 then not being sufficient for it to recuperate. The 

 after-treatment consists in protecting the animal 

 from exposure to cold and wet, liberal diet, and 

 a line of alterative and tonic treatment. 



Hydrothorax 

 (Dropsy of the Thoracic Cavity) 



Hydrothorax, strictly speaking, is true dropsy of 

 the chest, although the term has been loosely used 

 in connection with the effusion found in pleurisy. 

 Hydrothorax is a transudation, non-inflammatory in 

 origin, and is the result of some other pathologic 

 condition, such as cardiac or renal disease. 



Symptoms. — A gradual filling up of the thoracic 

 cavity with the transuded fluid, with corresponding 

 difficulty in respiration, is the usual symptom of 

 hydrothorax. Percussion reveals a distinct level of 

 the fluid in the cavity, parallel to the horizon. 



