10 
THOUGHTS ON HYDROTHORAX. 
as an anodyne in spasmodic muscular action. He states it to 
act directly on the nervous system, and believes it to be a 
valuable agent. 
Mr. Hoeyis informed that the College confers no honorary 
distinctions. The Fellowship he refers to is connected with 
the Jeterinary Medical Association , and he has a right to use it 
as he pleases.] 
THOUGHTS ON HYDROTHORAX. 
By Thos. Greaves, M.R.C.Y.S., Manchester. 
The end and aim of veterinary science is to alleviate 
suffering and preserve life. With the object of humbly con¬ 
tributing to that end, I take up my pen in the present 
instance. 
I have had my attention called to the subject of hydro¬ 
thorax lately, to a degree that has excited more than ordinary 
thought, from having attended no less than twelve cases 
within the past two years, ending February last. Seven of 
them were my own patients, and five were under other prac¬ 
titioners, to which I was called in consultation. Six of 
these cases were operated on, and large quantities of water 
taken away in each instance. Only two out of the twelve 
recovered, and these were not operated on. Three of the 
others had been bled, and all of them died. Except one, 
every patient was freely stimulated over the sides, and several 
of them also along the throat and breast; they were like¬ 
wise setoned or roweled. Various therapeutics were ad¬ 
ministered. They were all young and good cart-horses, and 
for the most part partook of an asthenic or typhoid character, 
pleurisy and pleuritic symptoms predominating. One of 
the two that recovered was in a most critical state for two 
months; his breathing was very much accelerated, and the 
pulse continued from 80 to 96 for three weeks, despite very 
large doses of sedatives, &c. I attribute his ultimate recovery 
to tenacity of life, a strong sound constitution well supported, 
and “last not least ,” to clipping all over; for from that mo¬ 
ment his restoration to health was marked. In six months 
after his recovery—he having been working and got quite fat 
in the meantime—he received a very severe injury on the foot, 
causing a deep sloughing lesion and open joint, from the 
effects of which he died. I had then an opportunity to exa¬ 
mine his chest, and found there was no disease whatever 
either in the pleurae or the lungs. 
