APPENDIX. 399 



4. FORM TO ADMINISTER. 



Drugs may often be given as powder or solution in the food 

 or water ; they may be made into a soft solid with syrup and 

 linseed meal, rolled into a short cylinder and covered with soft 

 paper ; they may be converted into an infusion with warm or 

 cold water, or into a decoction by boiling ; or they may be 

 powdered and suspended in thick gruel or mucilage. They 

 may be given, in a liquid form, from a horn or bottle ; or, as a 

 short cylinder or pill, may be lodged over the middle of the 

 root of the tongue ; or, as a sticky mass, they may be smeared 

 on the back teeth ; or they may be given as an injection into 

 the rectum ; or, finally, in the case of certain powerful and non- 

 irritating agents, they may be injected under the skin. 



No agent should be given until sufficiently diluted to prevent 

 irritation, if retained a few minutes in the mouth, and irritants 

 that will not mix with water (oil of turpentine, croton oil, etc.), 

 should be given in a bland oil, in milk or in eggs, after having 

 been thoroughly mixed. 



