DEPARTMENT OF SURGERY. 
127 
abscesses. The pus finding its passage in the direction of least 
resistance, pierces through the lung or thoracic wall, forming 
pulmonary or costal fistulae. Chyle is sometimes found in the 
thoracic cavity, mixed with the effusion ( chylothorax ) ; this, 
however, is always accompanied by intra-thoracic growths, or 
results from pathological alterations caused by morbid growths. 
Treatment .—Hydrothorax is not formidable in itself ; in 
many events it is observed in the last few days of the animal’s 
life. The treatment should be dietetic, medicative and surgi¬ 
cal. The patient must be fed upon dry food and given but a 
small quantity of fluids. The medication should consist of 
diuretics, hydragogue purgatives and tonics. Surgical inter¬ 
ference should only be used when the fluid rises to such an 
extent as to harass the breathing, in such an event it must be 
removed by thorocentesis. The operation is a simple one, and 
with the proper surgical cleanliness there is no danger of 
unfavorable sequelae following it as a result of infection. 
FIG. 44- 
THOROCENTESIS. 
a, sixth rib ; 6, improper direction of trocar ; c, ensiform cartilage ; d, proper direction of 
♦rocar ; e and /, point selected by some operators ; g, sternum. 
