DISEASES OF THE HEART AND BLOOD, ETC. 379 



which this caii not be done. If the first dose passes safely, 

 the operation may be repeated at intervals of a minute or so, 

 until the drench is all given. In all cases let the head drop 

 after swallowing, before turning any thing more into the 

 mouth or nostril, so that the animal may readjust the palate, 

 which is apt to be cramped by raising the head too high. , 

 Upon the latter point care should always be exercised, the 

 head being raised only just enough to allow the drench to 

 run into the throat. Here is where much of the danger at- 

 tendant upon drenching arises. When the head is too much 

 elevated, the glottis may be forced open, permitting the liquid 

 to run into the trachea, or windpipe. 



Giving the drench is a simple operation, with most horses, 

 at least. The best method is by using a long-necked bottle, 

 holding about a quart. Fill the bottle with the drench, al- 

 ways warm if it can be made so, and insert the neck of the 

 bottle into the mouth, upon the right side of it, and just in 

 .front of the jaw teeth, or grinders. Stand in an elevated 

 position ; for instance, upon a bench or box. Lift the head 

 carefully with the left hand, and, with the bottle in the right, 

 turn out a gill into the horse's mouth and throat. If he 

 swallows it, as he will be likely to do, drop his head, and 

 let him work his jaws and the muscles of his throat for a 

 minute or so. In this manner continue until the whole 

 drench is disposed of. 



A few simple directions in regard to preparing the drench 

 may be of value to some. The liquid must contain no pow- 

 ders, lump, or sediment of any kind; for these may cause 

 strangulation, and do serious injury. "When any medicine 

 is to be administered that is in powder or lumps, give it in 

 some other way, and not in a drench. The great advantage 

 of drenching consists in the greater rapidity with which rem- 

 edies act than when given in any other way. The pill is a 

 much easier method of medication, but the drench will usually 

 have done its work before the pill is dissolved. 



