The Thorax 123 



thoracic distension and tension of the abdomen. A positive diag- 

 nosis of the presence of pus can be made by thoracentesis. The 

 disease is quickly fatal by toxemia or pyemia. 



Hydrothorax. This term is applied to a secondary affection, 

 which consists of an effusion of the serous fluid into the pleural 

 sacs as a result of stasis of the circulation. It may be brought 

 about by neoplasms of the bronchial and mediastinal glands, chronic 

 diseases of the heart, pericardium and lungs. 



Symptoms and Diagnosis. The symptoms are dyspnea, res- 

 piration with open mouth, fainting spells, and incapacity to ascend 

 stairs or move far. It may be distinguished from pleurisy by the 

 physical signs, and by the effusion being bilateral and symmetrical. 

 This affection being dependent on other lesions, thoracentesis can 

 eflfect but a temporary improvement. 



HEKNIA. 



This is a lesion of rare occurrence. An observation has been 

 recorded by Peuch. The animal at each expiration, presented a 

 soft, quivering, spherical tumor about the size of a hen's egg, at 

 the lower part of the left side of the thorax, between the sixth and 

 seventh rib. When the animal barked, the swelling attained the 

 size of the human fist. Palpation revealed a rent of the entire 

 thickness of the intercostal muscles, about two inches in length. 

 Peuch treated this case by maintaining a pledget of pitch and 

 resin over the seat of hernia by means of a bandage rolled round 

 the chest. In eleven days complete recovery had taken place. 



Surgery of the Lungs 



A good deal of major surgery has been done on the lungs 

 in an experimental way, showing that interference with these vital 

 organs is feasible. 



Wm. Koch experimented to test the susceptibility of the lungs 

 to various surgical procedures. He performed acupuncture with 

 aspirating needles or pointed instruments on over twenty dogs. 

 Later on he injected iodide of potassium in solution of various 

 strengths. On examining the organs some weeks later scarcely any 

 scar could be found, and he came to the following conclusions: (i) 



