Liver Abscess Treated by Aspiration

months in spite of treatment. He was much exposed to cold, and then dysentery supervened ; this lasted for some time, and as soon as it got better he noticed his liver began to swell; this has continued to increase up to present time accompanied with great pain, sense of weight, and difficult breathing. On examination, liver was found to extend below the umbilicus in front and nearly as low posteriorly, scarcely altered by change of position; fluctuation distinct; pulse weak, 110 ; very anoomic ; intense pain complained of below the ribs ; no pointing but an even uniform swelling occupying whole right side of abdomen ; breathing thoracic : constant cough with slight 'rust-coloured sputum ; face anxious; seemed to be almost at point of death. He was placed at once on operating table and the smallest trocar but once thrust through skin tightly stretched immediately below the ribs: on turning the stop cock, liquid reddish pus passed freely along the tube ; upwards of thirty ounces were drawn off: the pus then became darker coloured, and came very slowly notwithstanding the needle was passed in deeply. It was now withdrawn through a pad of carbolised cotton, a larger pad placed on and a bandage applied. A grain of opium was given and the man removed to the ward and put on milk diet.