CHAPTER IV. 



ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICINES— WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. 



ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICINES. 



Medicines may enter the body tlirough 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 skin. — Care must be taken in applying some medi- 

 cines 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 intes- 

 tine and cause an evacuation ; and to nourish the body. 



WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. 



Solid mea!<iire." 



()() grains (g-r.) 1 draiu(;). 



8 drams 1 ounce (5). 



16 ounces 1 pound (lb.). 



Liquid iiiciixitrc. 

 60 niinhns (niin.) 1 fluid drum (f. 3). 



8 fluid drams...'. 1 fluid ounce (f. 3 ). 



16 fluid ounces 1 pint (O.). 



32 fluid ounces 1 quart (Oii.). 



4 quarts 1 gallon (Ci.). 



* The difl'erence in weight between the apothecaries' ounce (480 

 grains) and the ounce avoirdupois (437.5 grains) is neglected in hand- 

 ling veterinary or bulky medicines. 



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