CHAPTER XV. 



Practical Application of Medicines 

 and Home Remedies 



Almost every farmer or stock owner has an occasional opportunity 

 to administer medicine of some kind to his cattle in case of sickness or 

 otherwise. For this purpose various methods have been applied, such 

 as passing a piece of garden hose down the throat of the patient to avoid 

 the medicine going down the trachea (wind-pipe) and into the lungs, 

 where it usually sets up a severe irritation which results in congestion 

 or inflammation ,of the lungs. The piece of hose is passed down the 

 throat far enough to pass the glottis or valve which protects the trachea, 

 so that the medicine will surely pass down into the regular alimentary 

 canal. At the upper end of this hose is attached an ordinary funnel, 

 so that the medicine can easily be poured into the hose. This practice 

 looks reasonable and simple, but does not work quite so easily as it 

 appears to, for the animal will always fight when you attempt l<> insert 

 the hose, and it is only natural for her to do so, as it is far from being 

 what she is used to. 



The less variation you make from the usual practice of treating 

 an animal the better she takes to it. The simplest method is the most 

 successful method. When using the hose and funnel you must confine 

 the animal by fastening her in a stanchion or another secure place of 

 confinement, where she cannot offer much resistance. 



The most common and probably the most practical way is the r)ne 

 displayed at the head of this article, where the patient is treated kindly 

 by soothing words and gentle petting until she is convinced that no 

 harm shall befall her. The animal is not confined at all if of a gentle 

 disposition, and if the contrary, it is best to confine her in her own 

 stanchion, in the barn where she feels most at home and will be content. 

 After having your medicine well diluted with water, which is avery 

 important point, in administering medicine to ruminants, or animals 

 with four stomachs, such as the cow, sheep and goat, you place it in a 

 long necked wine bottle and take your place on either side of the head. 

 passing your arm around the opposite side anterior to the horns and 

 grasping the opposite lower jaw firmly, thereby pressing her head 



