PREVENTION, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT m 



plying to the State agricultural colleges or State veterinarians of 

 some of the States. 



Hydrothorax. 



Occurs in all animals; more often dogs. The condition of 

 dropsy of the pleural cavity is jnore frequently bilateral, but some- 

 times unilateral, and then more often right-sided from pressure of a 

 dilated right auricle on the root of the lung (man). It is wholly a 

 secondary condition and due to disease of the heart, kidneys, or 

 blood (in most cases), especially to valvular disease. 



Symptoms. — Dyspnea calls attention to it. There is dulness in 

 the chest on percussion, which changes with the position of patient ; 

 the respiratory murmur is absent, but rales may occur above the 

 area of effusion. To distinguish it from chronic pleurisy, one has 

 the absence of acute history, and, on aspirating the fluid in hydro- 

 thorax, it will be found clear, under 1016 in specific gravity, and 

 containing less than 3 per cent, of albumin; while the presence of 

 cardiac, renal or hemic disease will account for the hydrothorax. 



Treatment is directed to the dropsy itself and also to the 

 primary cause. A comparatively dry diet is advisable. For dogs, 

 elaterin (gr. iii in pill) every hour, until watery discharge from 

 bowels produced. Or: 



Hydrargyri chloridi mitis gr. vi 



Pulveris scillae gr. xii 



Pulveris digitalis gr. xii 



M. et fiant pil. No. xii. 

 Sig. One pill thrice daily. 



In large animals : 



B 

 Fluidextracti digitalis Si 



Fluidextracti scillae 3i 



Spiritus aetheris nitrosi Sviii 



Potassii citratis 3vi 



Aquae ad O' 



M. Sig. Four tablespoon fuls at 'dose in water three times daily 



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