ADMINISTERING MEDICINES. 223 



Exercise, of course, is not required during sickness or 

 injury, and the period at which it is allowed will depend upon 

 circumstances. Care must be taken that it is not ordered too 

 early, or carried too far at first. 



ADMINISTERING MEDICINES. 



How to give a ball. Much care is required in administering 

 medicines in the form of ball or bolus ; and practice, as well as 

 courage and tact, are needed in order to give it without danger 

 to the administrator or to the animal. The ball may be held 

 between the forefingers of the right hand, the tips of the first 

 and fourth being brought together below the second and third, 

 which are placed on the upper side of the ball ; the right hand 

 is thus made as small as possible, so as to admit of ready 

 insertion into the mouth. The left hand grasps the horse's 

 tongue, gently pulls it out, and places it on that part of the 

 right side of the lower jaw which is bare of teeth. The right 

 hand carries the ball along, and leaves it at the root of the 

 tongue. The moment the right hand is withdrawn, the tongue 

 is released. This causes the ball to be brought still farther 

 back. The operator then closes the mouth, and looks at the 

 left side of the neck, in order that he may note the passage of 

 the ball down the gullet. Many horses keep a ball in the 

 mouth a considerable time before they will allow it to go down. 

 A mouthful of water or a handful of food will generally make 

 them swallow it readily. If this does not succeed, the horse's 

 nostrils may be grasped by the hand and held a few moments. 

 A running halter should be used, so that the mouth may be 

 quickly and securely closed. 



If the operator has had but limited experience in giving 

 balls, he should station an assistant on the near side, to aid in 

 opening and steadying the mouth, by placing the fingers of his 

 left hand on the lower jaw, and the thumb of the right on the 

 upper jaw. Holding the mouth in this manner facilitates the 



