446 WATERY FARCY — EXTERNAL DROPSY, &C. 
\lth . — Yesterday he was thoroughly purged; and the conse- 
quence was, towards evening, a sensible diminution, or rather 
dispersion, of the tumour, and the falling of the swelling down 
into the leg. This morning, however, another swelling of the 
same kind appears upon the hind part of the thigh (or the quarter) 
of the off hind limb, circumscribed and flattened, and warm and 
tender, and solid and firm to the pressure of the fingers, exactly 
the same as the one upon the arm was. The groom has also 
drawn my attention to the withers , which, strange to say, I find 
exhibiting the same sort of tumidity, heat, and tenderness, as the 
limbs at first did. There is still a blush upon the nasal membrane, 
and it has a yellowish cast, as if there was bile circulating in the 
system. The conjunctive membrane, likewise, has something of 
the same pinkish yellow hue. The tongue has the aspect called 
soapy ; but that I think nothing of, as it is often so in appearance. 
The horse has recovered his appetite and spirits and air; in fact, 
they are nearly or quite as good as they are, perhaps, in health. 
Pulse 60, and firm in beat. Take four pints of blood away, and 
let him take a ball composed of half-ounces of cathartic and diu- 
retic masses, and continue the same daily until he purges again. 
18^4. — The near arm is attacked with a general swelling, and 
the off one is more enlarged than ever, the swelling extending into 
the breast and axilla, from which latter the skin hangs or rather 
bulges from distention in folds. 
20 th . — His bowels have been again well purged, and that aided 
by the fomentation and exercise : he now walks out four times a-day, 
half an hour each time — has a little lessened the swellings; but the 
greatest difficulty has for the last two days been experienced in get- 
ting him along in his exercise, the arms and axillae being tumefied 
to that extent that it is only very tardily, and with pain and diffi- 
culty, he is compelled to move one leg before the other. Blood- 
letting does more good in this respect than purgation ; but it will not 
do to carry it too far, for fear of debility and consecutive dropsy ; 
therefore take away only another four pints, and now commence 
with the compound mercurial ball* three times a-day. 
21^. — The arms, whose size was somewhat reduced yesterday 
after the purgation, are prodigiously increased in bulk this morning; 
and the thigh likewise, where the swelling has become general also, 
is much larger than it was. Notwithstanding these alarming 
tumefactions, the patient holds a cheerful aspect, and feeds pretty 
well; not complaining, seemingly, except at such times as he has 
to walk, and then it is only by coaxing and almost driving that he 
can be got along. His pulse continues 60, and retains strength, but 
* Containing a scruple of calomel, with guaiacum and oxy-sulphuret of anti- 
mony, meal, and common turpentine. 
