704 BATHS 



although kept for a considerable time, and must further be 

 so prepared that each dose shall make a proper-sized ball, 

 which for the horse usually weighs one to two ounces. The 

 ball mass should be preserved in jars covered with rubber 

 sheeting and stout paper, and be made into doses only as 

 required ; for when balls are long kept they are apt to 

 become hard, and in this state act slowly and sometimes 

 pass through the alimentary canal unchanged. To prevent 

 spoiling, as well as for cleanliness and to facilitate adminis- 

 tration, balls are rolled up in oiled paper, or are coated 

 with keratin, or a solution of one part of gelatin and twenty 

 of water. 



The bolus is given to horses with a balling-gun or with 

 the fingers ; and the latter method is preferable, except in 

 infected animals or those in which the mouth cannot be 

 sufficiently opened. The operation, with a little practice 

 and dexterity, is easily performed. The ball is held by one 

 end betAveen the thumb (which supports it below) and the 

 fingers of the right hand. The patient's tongue is gently 

 drawn out a little way by the left hand, and the ball passed 

 rapidly along the roof of the mouth, and dropped on the 

 back of the tongue, which is at once released, the mouth 

 closed, and the head kept slightly elevated for a few seconds. 

 In a similar way balls may be administered to cattle. To 

 dogs pills or cachets may be given enclosed in a piece of 

 meat, or the pill may be carried by forceps or a pill-carrier 

 to the back of the mouth. 



BATHS-FOMENTATIONS . 



Baths are important, alike for the preservation of health 

 and for the cure of disease amongst the domestic animals. 

 They are used in various ways, at different temperatures, 

 and for the treatment of medical and surgical cases. 



Cold baths are of a lower temperature than 70 Fahr. 

 Judiciously used, they act reflexly on nerve centres, stimu- 

 lating respiration, circulation, and metabolism. Similar 

 stimulant action is exerted on the sympathetic nervous 

 system, the skin functions are promoted, waste products 

 removed, and abnormal temperature reduced. Owing to 



