— Once more punctured, and a gallon of dark-coloured fluid evacuated.
12th.
Again filling and rapidly losing flesh and strength.
26th.
Once more tapped: immediately after which he appeared to be revived, but almost immediately began again to fill.
Aug. 2d.
— He had eaten tolerably; appeared to have nothing more than usual the matter with him, when, being missed for an hour, he was found dead. No examination was permitted.
In 1824 a spaniel, six years old, was brought to the infirmary. It had had an asthmatic cough, which had left it. It was now hollow in the flanks, the belly pendulous, and an evident fluctuation of water. The owner would not consent to any operation. An aloetic physic-ball, however, was given every fifth day, and a ball, composed of tartrate of iron, digitalis, nitre, and antimonial powder, on every intermediate morning and night. The water evidently accumulated; the dog was sent for, and died in the course of a week.
There are a few medicines that may be useful in arresting the effusion of the fluid; but they too often fail in producing any considerable benefit. The fox-glove is, perhaps, possessed of the greatest power, combined with nitre, squills, and bitartrate of potash. At other times chamomile, squills, and spirit of nitrous ether, may be tried.
The following case, treated by the administration of iodine, by Professor Dick, is important: