II YD ROTHORAX, THE RESULT OF PLEURISY. 
141 
all: and those that die would have died whether it was per¬ 
formed or not. But it may be asked, supposing we are con¬ 
fident of the existence of a few quarts of water in the chest, 
is it not better to remove it by the aid of the trochar than 
to trust to its becoming absorbed? Doubtless it is the 
readiest mode of getting rid of it, and, if no unfavorable cir¬ 
cumstances can be imagined to result from the operation, 
I can raise no other objection to its being done than the sup¬ 
position that it might be absorbed with equal advantage to 
the well doing of ourpatient; the operation, consequently, 
would be unnecessary. 
With regard to the preventing of the admission of air into 
the chest during the operation, 1 have seen it occur through 
the canula at the time when most of the fluid had been with¬ 
drawn, but I have not as yet had any reason to attach so 
much importance to this circumstance as many persons do; 
nevertheless, I should avoid its taking place, if possible, for 
I can understand that the admission of air, in any quantity, 
into the chest, might change the character of the effusion 
from simple serum to a sero-purulent fluid, and thus establish 
a case of empyema. 
I know of no diseases the morbid anatomy of which re¬ 
quires more thorough investigation than those affecting the 
organs of the chest. In veterinary jurisprudence it is very 
important, for the discrepancies of opinion which exist with 
respect to the length of time the disease may have existed, as 
judged by the character of the effused matter, and the nature 
of the false bands of adhesion, are often so great as to lead to 
the conclusion that the assertions made must arise from 
ignorance, not to say anything worse. 
It is astonishing how soon well organized, tough bands are 
formed in cases of simple pleurisy, especially in young, vigo¬ 
rous horses. In debilitated animals, or when the disease is 
complicated with others of an eesthenic character, in which 
the vital powers are much depressed, we rarely get tough, 
firm adhesions; but those that do exist are soft, friable, and 
easily torn, even though considerable time may have elapsed 
since the effusion took place. Well-authenticated data on 
this subject are highly desirable; we therefore cannot but feel 
indebted to Mr. Stephenson for supplying us with these 
interesting cases, for, although briefly given by him, they 
have awakened thought, and added to that on which true 
medical knowledge can alone be built, namely, facts; and we 
hope they will be yet instrumental for good in calling forth 
observations from others. 
XXXIV. 11 
