ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF IODINE. 
321 
In one case of my own, where the horse had been greatly ema- 
ciated and a very great variety of medicinal agents had been tried 
in vain, I afterwards administered the iodine, combined with 
linseed meal, &c., which soon began to shew its beneficial influence, 
and the animal has continued to be well and in good condition. 
Considerable care, however, is required in its administration, 
watching its effects, and regulating its doses. Knowing its un- 
doubted efficacy in this disease, as well as its power in stimulating 
the action of the absorbent vessels, it occurred to me that a trial might 
be made of its effects in hydrothorax, or dropsy of the chest. 
In drawing the attention of the profession to the power of iodine — 
previously unknown — in absorbing effusions of serum within the 
cavity of the thorax, I must allow that my experimental trials 
have not been so extensive as in the former disease ; but I hope to 
be able to give more ample details of my experience at a future 
period when an opportunity may present itself of treating this dis- 
ease. From what I have already witnessed of its decided advantages 
in hydrothorax, little doubt remains on my mind. My object at 
the present time is merely to ask other members of the profession 
to give it a fair trial. 
• In recommending it, I must advise the practitioner to be careful 
in its administration ; for it enters the system in the form of an 
hydriodate, and when it accumulates, dangerous and sometimes 
fatal consequences arise, which will rather appal the practitioner, 
and lead us to doubt the action of the medicine. Notwithstanding 
this, however, iodine and its compounds has come into the vete- 
rinary world, both in its application externally, and its adminis- 
tration internally in chronic enlargements of glandular structures, 
long standing tumours, and even ossific deposits or morbid enlarge- 
ments of every description ; and, lately, it has been advocated by 
some eminent veterinarians as arresting tubercles in the lungs. 
Its power in checking diabetes and hydrothorax ranks it in thera- 
peutics as a powerful and valuable medicinal agent ; and although 
its effects are sometimes slow, yet it has a sure and permanent 
action, whether it be applied in a direct or an indirect manner. 
Some objections have been raised to its being given uncombined, 
and in all the cases wherein I have tried it, I administered it 
with some other ingredient. The first case in which I suggested a 
trial of it occurred several months ago. The patient had been 
labouring for a considerable period under pleuro-pneumonia (which, 
I may mention, has occurred very frequently of late), and had termi- 
nated in hydrothorax, and was as well a marked case of this dis- 
ease as I ever saw. In order to make myself more certain, I took 
with me another practitioner, who might examine the case, which 
he did, and was convinced that it was one of effusion of serum 
