CHAPTER IV. 



ADMINISTRATION OF MIKICINES— WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. 



ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICINES. 



Medicines may enter the body through any of the following 

 designated channels: First, by the mouth; second, by the lungs 

 and upper air passages; third, by the skin; fourth, under the skin 

 (hypodermically) ; fifth, by the rectum; and sixth, by intravenous 

 injection. 



By the mouth. — Medicines can be given by the mouth in the form 

 of powders, balls, and drenches. 



By the air passages.— Medicines are administered to the lungs 

 and upper air passages by inhalations and nasal douches. 



By the sTcin. — Care must be taken in applying some medicines 

 over too large a portion of the body at any one time, as poisoning 

 and death may follow from too rapid absorption through the skin. 

 For domestic animals medicines are to be applied to the skin for 

 local purposes or diseases only. 



By the rectum. — Medicines may be given by the rectum when we 

 can not give or have them retained by the mouth; when we want 

 local action; to destroy the small worms infesting the large bowels; 

 to stimulate the natural movement of the intestine and cause an 

 evacuation; and to nourish the body. 



WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. 



Solid measure.o- 



60 grains (gr.). 1 dram (5). 



8 drams 1 oiince (J). 



16 ounces 1 pound (lb.). 



Liquid measure. 



60 minims (min.) 1 fluid dram (f . 5). 



8 fluid drams - 1 fluid ounce (f. ^). 



16 fluid ounces 1 pint (O.). 



32 fluid ounces 1 quart (Oii.). 



4 quarts 1 gallon (Ci.)- 



«The difference in weight between the apothecaries' ounce (480 grains) and the^ 

 ounce avoirdupois (437.5. grains) is neglected in handling veterinary or bulky medi- 

 cines. 



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