ADMINISTRATION OF PHYSIC. 445 



mation ; experience in such matters alone enabling the operator to 

 hit upon the right amount. 



In all operations for hernia chloroform is of great assist- 

 ance, as it prevents the risk of a protrusion of the bowel while the 

 knife is being used, which will otherwise sometimes happen during 

 the struggles of the horse. 



THE ADMINISTRATION OF PHYSIC. 



Medicine may be given to the horse either in the solid form 

 as a ball, or liquid, and then called a drench, or as a dry powder, 

 when in small compass and with little taste, mixed with the corn- 

 er mash. Sometimes also a small quantity of a tasteless liquid, 

 such as liquor arsenicalis, may be given with the food. 



In GIVING A BALL, place a halter on the head with a knot, so 

 that the jaws may be widely opened. Then turn the horse round 

 in the stall and back him up to the manger, lay hold of the tongue 

 and draw it out of the mouth, grasp it with the left hand, which 

 must also hold the halter-cord so short that the strain is partly 

 taken off the tongue, and then holding the ball in the right hand 

 with the fingers enclosing it like a cone, and, the arm bare, it 

 should be rapidly carried to the back of the mouth a,nd deposited 

 there, holding the head up till it is seen to pass down the gullet. 

 Cautious grooms use a balling iron, which gags the mouth and 

 protects the arm, but a handy man will have less difficulty in intro- 

 ducing his hand than in inserting the gag, unless the horse is a 

 determined biter, when it may be absolutely nece.ssary. In that 

 case the gag is insinuated with as much ease as a bit in a flat 

 direction, and the handle being suddenly depressed, the mouth 

 gapes and the teeth cannot be brought together. Then holding 

 its handle together with the halter in the left hand, the right 

 easily introduces the ball into the pharynx. 



In GIVING A DRENCH, two persons are necessary, the operator 

 standing at the right shoulder, while the assistant is ready to steady 

 the head and aid him on the left. The operator raises the head 

 with his left hand beneath the jaw, and with his right he forces 

 the lip of the horn into the side of the mouth, and, raising the 

 small end, pours the contents in. If the horse is violent, a twitch 

 must be placed on the nose, and held by the assistant. The horn 

 must not be passed far into the mouth, or any unnecessary violence 

 used, for fear of producing a cough ; in which case, the hand must 

 be instantly lowered. A neglect of this precaution will probably 

 cause some of the liquid to pass into the larynx. 



CLYSTERS 



Are most valuable agents, if properly administered. The 

 best syringe for the purpose is Read's, by which any quantity may 

 38 



