76 MOUNTED INSTRUCTION 



is drawn too high the animal cannot swallow with ease or even with 

 safety. 



The person giving the drench should stand on some object in order 

 to reach the horse's month on a level, or a little above it. The bottle is 

 then to be introduced at the side of the mouth in front of the molar 

 teeth, in an upper direction. This will cause the horse to open his 

 mouth, then the base of the bottle is elevated, and about four ounces of 

 the liquid allowed to escape on the tongue as far back as possible, care 

 being taken not to get the neck of the bottle between the back teeth. 

 The bottle is to be immediately removed, and if the horse does not 

 swallow, this can be encouraged by rubbing the neck of the bottle 

 against the roof of the mouth, occasionally removing it. As soon as it 

 is swallowed repeat the operation until he has taken all the drench. If 

 coughing occurs, or if, by any mishap, the bottle should be crushed in 

 the mouth, lov^^er the head immediately. 



In drenching, swallowing may be hastened by pouring into the nose 

 of the horse, while the head is high, a few teaspoonfuls of clear water, 

 but drenches must never be given through the nose. Large quantities 

 by pouring into the nose are liable to strangle the animal ; if the medi- 

 cine is irritating, it sets up an inflammation of the nose, fauces, wind- 

 pipe, and sometimes the lungs. 



Medicated vapors are to be inhaled by placing a bucket containing 

 hot water to which carbolic acid or any other coal tar product has been 

 added. The horse's nose is to be inserted into the top of the bag, and 

 he thus inhales the medicated steam. Care must be taken not to have 

 it hot enough to scald the animal. The vapor from scalding bran or 

 hay is often thus exhaled to favor discharges in sore throat or "distem- 

 per." 



By the Rectum: Medicines may be given by the rectum when they 

 cannot be given by the mouth or when they cannot be retained in the 

 stomach ; when we want a local action on the last gut ; when it is de- 

 sired to destroy the small worms infesting the large bowels or to stimu- 

 late the peristaltic motion of the intestine and cause evacuation. Medi- 

 cines are, in such case, given in the form of liquid injections. Foods 

 may also be given this way. 



Enemas: When given for absorption they should be small in quan- 

 tity, neutral or slightly acid in reaction, and of a temperature of from 

 90° to a 100° F. These, like feeds given by the rectum, should be intro- 

 duced only after the last bowel has been emptied by the hand or by 

 copious injections of tepid water. Enemas, or clysters, if to aid the ac- 

 tion of physics, should be in quantities sufficient to distend the bowel 

 and cause the animal to eject them. Simple water, salt and water, or 

 soap and water, in quantities of a gallon or more' may be given every 

 half hour. It is best that the horse retain them for some little time, as 

 a liquid serves to moisten the dung and favor a passage. Stimulating 

 enemas, as glycerine, should be administered after those already 

 mentioned have already emptied the last bowel, with the purpose of 

 still further increasing the motion of the intestines and aiding the purg- 

 insf medicine. 



