1 74 Materia- Medica. 



resting on the lower jaw for support. This will secure 

 the tongue from being drawn out too far. The bolus, 

 being held between the lips, or inserted within the vest 

 pocket for instant seizure, is grasped between the tips of 

 the first, second, and third fingers of the right hand. 

 Thus the first and third are below, and the second is 

 above, as shown in the engraving, and in this form, all 

 the digits converging to a point, the bolus is carried over 

 the tongue to the back part of the mouth, where it is 

 delivered within the grasp of the pharynx, or muscular 

 apparatus which forms the upper portion of the gullet. 

 The right hand is quickly withdrawn, and as the tongue 

 is simultaneously released by the left, it recedes, carrying 

 the bolus still further backwards, beyond the possibility of 

 return. The operator, to ensure success, instantly closes 

 the mouth, and holds the jaws, or passes the shank of 

 the halter round them, above the nostrils. This prevents 

 motion which might favour the return of the medicine 

 when the foregoing directions have not been perfectly 

 carried out. If the operation is successful, the passage of 

 the bolus down the gullet on the left or near side of the 

 neck will put the matter beyond all doubt. 



Some horses after a time of illness, or from repeated 

 attempts by inefficient or care- 

 less operators, grow very cun- 

 ning, and even vicious. They 

 will retract the tongue, closely 

 fix the jaws, twist, raise, or de- 

 press the head and neck so 

 powerfully, that without assist- 

 ance one person is useless. 

 Sometimes also the mouth is 

 narrow, and the sharp edges of 

 the molar teeth seriously injure 

 iron Gag or Balling iron. the hands of the operator. Un- 

 der these circumstances one or 



more assistants are required to restrain the animal, and a 

 gag, or balling iron, as shown in the engraving, is used to 

 keep the jaws open while the ball is passed over the root 

 of the tongue. Much care and patience is needed, while 



