330 Veteritiary Medicine. 



grains) four times a day. After the purgative has acted an ounce 

 of nitrate or acetate of potass may be given daily to the larger 

 quadrupeds (ij^ drachms to sheep and pigs, and 20 grains to 

 dogs) in the drinking water. These agents together with the 

 digitalis must be pushed to the largest doses when the effusion has 

 taken place abundantly and when it threatens to dangerously in- 

 terfere with the heart's action. Pilocarpin is a dernier resort, to 

 be used with caution. In similar circumstances, ointment or 

 tincture of iodine should be freely applied over the chest in the 

 region of the heart. Mustard and other vesicants repeatedly 

 applied often greatly hasten the reabsorption of the liquids. 



From the first the animal must be warmly clothed and every 

 means employed to obtain free circulation and warmth on the sur- 

 face. The legs must be well rubbed and wound in warm flannel 

 bandages, or this failing, may have mustard freely applied to them. 

 Warm injections must be at the same time thrown into the rectum 

 and will benefit by soliciting the action of the bowels as well as in 

 raising the temperature of the surface generally. The food al- 

 lowed should be warm mashes of wheat bran, boiled linseed and 

 similar agents in small quantities. 



If the amount of effusion threatens a fatal result, it may be 

 drawn off by a cannula and trochar introduced between the carti- 

 lages of the fifth and sixth ribs, by a valvular wound and with 

 antiseptic precaution (see liydrothorax), care being taken to avoid 

 puncturing the heart itselT. 



The trochar or aspirator needle should be pushed in a direction 

 upward and inward until resistance ceases or it is felt that the 

 heart has been touched. A caoutchouc tube may now be attached 

 to it and allowed to depend twelve or eighteen inches, and its 

 lower end should be plunged in a weak solution of boric acid or 

 other antiseptic. This avoids the entrance of air and insures 

 against the introduction of aerial bacteria. 



When the vital powers are being exhausted stimulants must be 

 given to support the animal, combined with iodide of potassium. 

 (See advice concerning the allied condition in Hydrothorax') . 



In the chronic pericarditis of oxen the fatality is greater. Treat- 

 ment consists mainly in counterirritants and powerful diuretics 

 employed in doses determined by the strength of the animal, and 

 combined with stimulants and tonics as in the advanced stages of 

 the acute disease. 



