16 CONKEY'S STOCK BOOK 



DRENCHING This is often the simplest method of drenching, 



WITH A SYRINGE especially for small doses. A drench should sel- 

 dom exceed a pint, and usually it can be given in 



8 fluid ounces. Use an ordinary hard rubber syringe and empty the 

 syringe far back in the mouth. Repeat as often as necessary for the dose 

 required. 



DRENCHING It is perfectly safe to drench cattle, provided the liquid 

 CATTLE is poured cautiously, with plenty of time allowed for 



swallowing. Cattle are more easily drenched than 

 horses for the simple reason that they cannot refuse to swallow, as 

 horses often do hence there is not so much danger of liquid getting into 

 the windpipe or lungs. Raise the head by placing thumb and forefinger in 

 the nostrils, lifting the head high enough so that the medicine will not run 

 out of the mouth. Let an assistant hold the head steady by the horns 

 or the ears. A taper neck bottle is all right for the purpose, or use a 

 regular drenching horn. 



DRENCHING The best way to give medicine to swine is in the feed. 

 SWINE If a sick hog won't eat you can give a drench, if first you 



tie up the animal, with a slip noose over the upper jaw. 

 Don't try to drench while he is squealing, for you may strangle him. Look 

 out that he don't crunch the bottle and so cut his mouth. 



DRENCHING A sheep cannot be drenched very well when it is stand- 

 SHEEP ing up, as some of the liquid is almost sure to get into 



the lungs. Back the sheep into a corner on its rump; 

 then straddle the animal so that you can steady its head between your 

 knees while you partly open the mouth and pour the medicine slowly into 

 the right corner of the mouth. Thus there is no danger of choking. 



GIVING A Medicine is often worked up with lard, honey or 



MEDICINE BALL molasses into a cylindrical, mass less than 1 inch in 



diameter. It is then called a "bolus" or ball. It 



should never weigh more than 1 ounce or be more than 3 inches long. 

 It should always be freshly prepared, never hard and dry. It takes a 

 quiet manner and quick action to give a ball. To give a ball, stand in front 

 of the horse, with the ball in three fingers of the right hand, then grasp 

 the tongue irith the left hand, pull it well forward with the tip upward; 

 then insert the right hand, push the ball or pill well over the bulge of the 

 tongue to the back of the root of the tongue and quickly withdraw the 

 hands. Hold the head in a natural position with the mouth closed and 

 watch the neck until you see the ball pass down the gullet. Then offer 

 the animal a drink of water. Of course, do not give a ball if the horse's 

 throat is sore, as he may cough it up in the nasal cavity, whence it may 

 be hard to dislodge. 



POULTICES In cases where heat and moisture are required, as in case 

 of a sprain, bruise, inflammation or congestion or inflam- 

 mation of any sort, the best way of obtaining these is by means of a 

 poultice. In this way a considerable surface can be covered and the 

 heat or medication can be applied for a considerable period of time. 

 Bran, flaxseed, boiled carrots, etc., make good material for poultices. The 

 purpose of a poultice is to reduce swelling,, assist in absorption and allay 

 pain. To do this it must be applied hot and be kept hot as a large part 

 of its value is in the heat thus applied. In cases where there is a dis- 



