METHODS OF ADMINISTERING MEDICINES. 47 



Inhalaiion. — Gaseous and volatile medicines are given by inhala- 

 tion, as is also medicated steam or vapor. Of the gases used there 

 may be mentioned, as the chief ones, sulphurous acid gas and, occa- 

 sionally, chlorin. The animal or animals are to be placed in a tight 

 room, where these gases are generated until the atmosphere is suffi- 

 ciently impregnated Avith them. Volatile medicines — as the an- 

 esthetics (ether, chloroform, etc.) — ai"e to be given by the attending 

 surgeon onlv. Medicated rapoi-s are to be inhaled by placing a 

 bucket containing hot water, vinegar and water, scalded hay or 

 bran, to which carbolic acid, iodin, compound tincture of benzoin, 

 or other medicines have been added, in the bottom of a long grain 

 bag. 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 inhaled to favor discharges in sore throat 

 or '• distemper."' 



Injections are made into the trachea by means of a hypodermic 

 syringe. This method of medication is used for the purpose of treat- 

 ing local diseases of the trachea and upper bronchial tubes. It has 

 also been used as a mode of administering remedies for their constitu- 

 tional effect, but is now rarely used for this purpose. 



The n^asal douche is employed by the veterinarian in treating some 

 local diseases of the nasal chambei'S. Special appliances and profes- 

 sional knowledge are necessary when using lifjuid medicines by this 

 method. It is not often resorted to, even by veterinary surgeons, 

 since, as a rule, the hoi*se objects very strongly to this mode of 

 medication. 



By the skin. — Medicines are often administered to our hair- 

 covered animals by the skin, yet care must be taken in applying 

 some medicines — as tobacco water, carbolic-acid solutions, strong 

 creolin solutions, mercurial ointment, etc. — over the entire body, as 

 l^oisoning and death follow in some instances from absorption 

 thiough the skin. For the same reasons care must also be exercised 

 and poisonous medicines not applied over very large raw or abraded 

 surfaces. With domestic animals medicines are only to be applied 

 by the skin to allay local pain or cure local disease. 



By the TTssi e reneatii the skin (hypodermatic method). — 

 Medicines are frequently given by the hypodermic syringe under the 

 skin. It is not safe for any but medical or veterinary practitioners 

 to use this form of medication, since the medicines thus given are 

 ])owerful poisons. There are many precautions to be observed, and 

 a knowledge of anatomy is indispensable. One of the chief precau- 

 tions has to do with the sterilization of the syringe. If it is not sterile 

 an abscess may be produced. 



By the RECTr:si. — Medicines may be given by the rectum when 

 thev can not l)e iiiven bv the mouth, or when thev are not retained in 



