132 THE CAT 



head can be grasped from behind so that the 

 thumb covers the jaw on one side, the second 

 finger the jaw on the other side, and the first 

 finger lies on top of the head between the 

 ears. The third finger of the hand covers the 

 jaw underneath. The head should then be 

 gently raised, the thumb and second finger 

 draw the commissures of the lips gently back- 

 ward until they make a pocket on one or the 

 other side, into which the liquid can be poured. 

 It is not necessary to open the jaw itself, as the 

 liquid will run through the teeth. 



In many cases, however, more stringent 

 measures are required, and the cat must be 

 held so that it cannot bite or scratch. The 

 simplest method, which is all that is required 

 in some cases, and for the operation of castra- 

 tion, is to have an attendant take the cat by 

 the loose skin of the neck and over the shoul- 

 ders with one hand, and by the skin from the 

 pelvis or croup with the other hand. Then 

 place it upon a table and press down until the 

 breast-bone in front and the under surface of 

 the pelvis behind are held firmly against the 

 table. It is then impossible for the cat to use 



