Giving Medicine. 223 



Some people appear to have difficulty in giving a dog 

 medicine. As a fact, the ordinary quadruped likes it 

 about as well as the ordinary juvenile biped. Some 

 powders may be given with the food; pills and most 

 liquids must be forced down the dog's throat. The 

 mouth has to be opened, and this is best done by the 

 owner, who holds his dog between his knees, the hind 

 legs on the ground. A second party puts the medi- 

 cine down the throat of the dog, which being done the 

 mouth is closed until the dose is swallowed. This may 

 be assisted by rubbing his neck, pinching his ears, or even 

 by giving a biscuit. All dogs have a peculiar power of 

 vomiting anything they do not like — a faculty which 

 they often bring into use where drugs are concerned. 

 In such cases, immediately the medicine has been taken 

 the patient must have his head tied up, by means of a 

 chain and collar, in such a way that he cannot lower it. 

 So he must remain until a sufficient time for operation 

 has elapsed. 



Castor oil and other capsules are to be obtained which 

 may be particularly useful, especially where small dogs 

 such as terriers are concerned. It must, however, not be 

 forgotten that the stomach of the dog is delicate, and 

 care should be taken in the administration of medicine of 

 any kind, and it ought not to be given unless actually 

 required. In most cases a "hot nose" and general "out 

 of sorts " appearance will disappear under the influence of 

 a dessertspoonful of castor oil. Some people wrongly dose 

 their dogs monthly, no doubt acting on a principle similar 

 to that which prompted old Squeers to give his unfortunate 

 pupils at Dotheboys Hall their weekly allowance of brim- 

 stone and treacle. 



