Hydrothorax. 261 



cal affections, and one usually seen in the hydrothorax of inflam- 

 mation as well, is the ease with which, even at an early stage of 

 the disease, the long hairs of the mane and tail may be piilled out. 

 In many cases they come out in handfuUs when the comb or the 

 fingers are passed through them. 



Treatment. The treatment must be of the actively diuretic 

 kind recommended for the effusion of pleurisy. It is modified 

 however in one respect. Th"e inflammatory action having subsided 

 or nearly so and the condition being now essentially one of weak- 

 ness a free use of tonics is demanded. Many a patient dies in such 

 circumstances from the actively depletive treatment to which it 

 has been subjected and the want of attention 'to its need of 

 generous diet and other support. The agents prescribed for the 

 advanced stage of pleuri.sy may be given, or the digitalis or other 

 diuretics and bitters may be combined with iodide of potassium 

 in one or two drachm doses, the amount being apportioned to the 

 strength of the animal. Iron in the form of sulphate, perchloride 

 or iodide may be freely given combined with gentian, quassia, or 

 other vegetable tonic, and above all a liberal and easily digested 

 diet must be allowed. Good will sometimes result from repeated 

 applications of strong iodine ointment to, the sides with active 

 friction. 



When the condition is dependent on disease of the heart, kid- 

 ney or other organ, these must be attended to according to their 

 special requirements. 



Disconnected from such complications hydrothorax will often 

 give way to an active treatment. similar to that indicated above. 

 In some cases however our only hope of even temporarily pro- 

 longing life lies in the operation for drawing off the fluid. 



Tapping the chest or as it is technically called thoracentesis 

 or paracentesis thoracis has proved sufficiently successful in the 

 lower animals to warrant its continuance in cases that resist other 

 modes of treatment. It is highly probable that the larger pro- 

 portion of unsuccessful cases is due in great part to the hopelessly 

 advanced stage at which it is often had resort to, to the 

 insufficient precautions adopted in its performance, and to the 

 want of appropriate dietetic and medicinal treatment. Dr. Bow- 

 ditch's treatment hy paracentesis, saved in the human subject at the 

 rate of about two patients in five and we ought by availing of 

 similar precautions to reach the same standard. 



