The dropsical cases may come on rapidly and present all the signs of troubled respiration together with the results of auscultation and percussion that characterize rapid inflammatory effusion but without the fever and acute symptoms of pleurisy. More usually it comes on insidiously, the lung accommodates itself to the gradual increase of the fluid and it is only when the accumulation has become excessive that the symptoms become prominent. In heart or kidney disease the filling of the legs and infiltrations of the eyelids and of the skin beneath the chest and abdomen are precursors or early concomitants of the disease, but in all cases the accumulation in the chest is to be measured by the height of the line of dulness on percussion and the extent of chest surface giving forth no respiratory murmur on auscultation. As the liquid rises on both sides of the chest, as it always does in such cases in the horse, the breathing becomes short and labored, being chiefly effected by the action of the diaphragm and the flanks—the ribs moving only slightly. The nostrils are widely dilated with each breath. The previously existing want of vigor and energy, the weak pulse, the poor appetite and the pallor of the mucous membranes become aggravated; the animal becomes very weak and prostrate, the loins insensible, the permanently tucked up flanks labor tumultuously, the loins rise in inspiration, the face is pinched and haggard, the eyeballs glazed and protruding, and death is preceded by the same general symptoms as in rapid effusion after pleurisy. A prominent feature of this, as of all dropsical affections, and one usually seen in the hydrothorax of inflammation as well, is the ease with which, even at an early stage of the disease, the long hairs of the mane and tail may be pulled out. In many cases they come out in handfulls when the comb or the fingers are passed through them. _Treatment._ The treatment must be of the actively diuretic kind recommended for the effusion of pleurisy. It is modified however in one respect. The inflammatory action having subsided or nearly so and the condition being now essentially one of weakness a free use of tonics is demanded. Many a patient dies in such circumstances from the actively depletive treatment to which it has been subjected and the want of attention to its need of generous diet and other support. The agents prescribed for the advanced stage of pleurisy may be given, or the digitalis or other diuretics and bitters may be combined with iodide of potassium in one or two drachm doses, the amount being apportioned to the strength of the animal. Iron in the form of sulphate, perchloride or iodide may be freely given combined with gentian, quassia, or other vegetable tonic, and above all a liberal and easily digested diet must be allowed. Good will sometimes result from repeated applications of strong iodine ointment to the sides with active friction.