TREATMENT OF COMMON AILMENTS 313 



104 or 105 would suggest the presence of a good 

 deal of fever. The pulse is ascertained by placing 

 the finger on the femoral artery inside the thigh. 

 In a large dog the normal beat may be from 70 to 

 90 in a minute, while in the smaller varieties it is 

 still more rapid say, about 100 per minute. 



The administration of medicine is not a difficult 

 task when once the proper methods are understood. 

 Whenever possible it is advisable to delude the 

 patient into the belief that he is about to receive 

 something pleasant. A pill may be concealed in 

 a piece of meat, and nauseous physic may be 

 sweetened in order to render it more palatable. The 

 capsule is a convenient form in which to give small 

 quantities. This should be pushed well down the 

 throat with the two first fingers, or it will probably 

 be rejected. Powder that is comparatively tasteless, 

 such as areca-nut, may be thoroughly incorporated 

 with butter or dripping, and then smeared on the 

 tongue. Drenching is necessary in the case of a 

 liquid. A strong, wide-mouthed bottle is the best. 

 Approach the patient from the front, make a pouch 

 of the lips on one side with your left hand, inserting 

 the bottle mouth on the other. Hold the head well 

 back so that none may be spilt, and do not 

 relax your hold until you are satisfied that all is 

 swallowed. Do something to distract the dog's 

 attention immediately after in case he should show 

 a desire to vomit. Above all, let him see that you 

 have no sinister designs. In cases of illness in 

 which much liquid food has to be given, choking 

 is not so likely to be caused if the nourishment is 

 slightly thickened with a little cornflour or arrowroot. 



The, drugs used in canine medicine are in 



