ON THE DISORDERS OF THE DIGESTIVE APPARATUS. 139 



and succussion the fluctuation of fluid is detectable. In 

 pregnancy the foetus can be felt on manipulation, and the 

 teats begin to enlarge and the mammary gland to swell ; 

 in obesity the body in general is fat and the shape does 

 not alter with the position of the animal, the belly is 

 rounded at the flank as well as at the sides, and no fluc- 

 tuation detectable ; in liver or spleen enlargement there 

 is an absence of fluctuation, and usually a tumour may be 

 felt in the anterior part of the belly. A case of enlarged 

 spleen lying along the floor of the belly and very soft, is 

 difficult to distinguish from one of ascites. In the latter 

 disease, however, the skin seems tense, the hair is loose, 

 the breathing disturbed, and in the more advanced cases 

 the oedema sets in below the jaw and in the limbs and is 

 very distinctive. 



Treatment. — Generally requires to be tonic ; vegetable 

 bitters are useful. Digitalis is especially valuable and 

 iodide of iron in small doses. Laxatives>. such as calomel 

 and aloes, are advocated by some practitioners,, but they 

 require to be administered with the greatest; care and 

 judgment. Cod-liver oil as a nutritive and very mild 

 laxative is often followed by great benefit. The operation 

 of tapping the belly, Paracentesis abdominis,, performed 

 with the trochar and cannula (under; the usual pre- 

 cautions) at the linea alba against the umbilicus affords 

 some hope of relief where organic disease of the liver 

 and spleen is absent, but it may be required several 

 times to relieve the dyspnoea. After-treatment for the 

 operation consists in support of the belly by means of a 

 bandage. It is considered that in the dog, contrary to 

 what is observed in man, all the fluid may be removed at 

 one time without damage. 



