16 MODERN FARRIER. 



substances should be very finely powdered. All 

 mucilaginous substances, some resins, and many of 

 the aromatics, may be properly given in this form. 

 The best diluent is water on a mucilaginous infusion. 



Drenches are sometimes administered by a bottle ; 

 but this is a very dangerous instrument. They 

 should always be given by a horn ; the animal's head 

 being raised, and the tongue held down, as in giving 

 a ball. This operation is seldom performed with 

 dexterity, and thus a considerable quantity of the 

 medicine is frequently spilt. Drenches should never 

 be given when the throat is in an inflamed or irri- 

 tated state. 



The great advantage of a drench is, that remedies 

 exhibited in this form produce their effects very 

 speedily, and are therefore well suited to urgent 

 cases, in which it is necessary to give immediate 

 relief. 



10. Clysters. 



Almost every class of medicine may be advanta- 

 geously administered in the form of a clyster; at 

 least, all such medicines as may be thoroughly mixed 

 with any watery fluid, so as to pass readily through 

 a slender tube. 



A clyster bladder should be that of an ox, and of 

 the largest size, to the extremity of which should be 

 fixed a pewter pipe, about twelve inches long, and 

 about half an incli in diameter, having the extremity 

 completely smooth, so as not to injure the internal 

 coat of the bowel. Syringes are very improper 

 instruments. 



It is often necessary, previous to administering a 

 clyster, to clear the great gut from the hardened ex- 

 ' crement which it may contain. This is best per- 

 formed by means of the hand, which should be well 

 greased with oil or hog's lard, and the nails cut per- 

 fectly close, before it is introduced. The use of 



