VETERINARY MEDICAL SOCIETY, Dec. 10,1828. 
THE discussion on Mr. Field’s paper on Pleurisy was continued, 
embracing the medical treatment. Mr. Field recommended the 
immediate abstraction ol blood, to the quantity of from ten to 
twenty pounds,according to the size and condition Oi the noise, and 
the apparent intensity of the inflammation. I he venesection to 
be repeated as the case seemed to require. From two to four 
drachms of aloes were then to be given, and repeated uniu the 
faeces assumed a pultaceous form. He imagined, that mpleuiisy 
the horse was in much less danger from the exhibition of puigaii\ c 
medicine, than when labouring under pneumonia. Nauseants 
were then indicated, combined with other medicines that might 
favour a counter determination of blood. Mr. Field was in the 
habit of giving white hellebore, in doses from a scruple to half a 
drachm, and combined with spirit of nitrous ether, nitre, and tar- 
tarised antimony. 
A blister on the thorax, and extending up the sides, and par¬ 
ticularly the side principally affected, was indicated; and likewise 
plugs in the sternum. He used occasionally the tinct. croton, but 
oftener'the ung. lyttae. . . , 
When the inflammatory symptoms evidently abated, vegetable 
tonics, as gentian and ginger, were advised ; and to which, 
when the possibility of hydrothorax was suspected, mild diu¬ 
retics were added, as two or three drachms of turpentine. M hen 
effusion had evidently taken place, to a considerable extent, he 
recommended the operation of paracentesis, although he had 
hitherto tried it without one successful result. It was usually 
three weeks before the horse was dismissed, and then he could not 
be sent to work. 
In answer to the enquiry of a member, Mr. Field observed, that 
he beo'an to give the hellebore immediately aftei depletion, and 
gave it usually in half drachm doses, three or four times everyday, 
until the pleuritic symptoms ceased. He has occasionally pro¬ 
duced increased discharge of saliva, and very slight retching, but 
never, in these doses, the unpleasant effects of which some have 
spoken. He apprehended that the horse would bear more of this 
and similar medicines under pleurisy than under most other dis- 
• eases. When giving hellebore for the sake of experiment, he has 
produced retching very speedily with from two to four drachms. 
He called on any gentleman who used digitalis to favour the 
Society with an account of its effects and mode of action. 
Mr. Youatt had long used digitalis. He acknowledged the 
effect of hellebore as a nauseant. He had often seen good effects 
from it; but it required diligent watching. It too decidedly 
