10 



horse is ugly to drench; when tbe medicine is intended to act slowly. 

 Certain medicines can not, or shonld not, be made into balls — medicines 

 requiring to be given in large doses, oils, caustic substances, unless 

 diluted and thoroughly mixed with the vehicle, deliquescent or efflores- 

 cent salts. Substances suitable for balls can be made uj) by the 

 addition of honey, sirup, soap, etc., when required for immediate use. 

 Gelatine capsules of different sizes are now obtainable and are a con- 

 venient means of giving medicines in ball form. 



Drenches are to be given when the medicine is liquid, when the dose 

 is large, and when we desire speedy action. 



Electuaries are medicines mixed mostly with licorice-root powder, 

 molasses, or sirup to the consistency of honey, or a "soft-solid." They 

 are intended, chiefly, to act locally npon the mouth and throat. They 

 are given with a wooden paddle or strong long-handled spoon. 



When balls are to be given we should observe the following direc- 

 tions: In shape they should be cylindrical, of the size above mentioned, 

 and soft enough to be easily compressed by the fingers. If made round 

 or egg-shaped, if too long or too hard, they are liable to become fixed 

 in the gullet and cause choking. Balls may be given with the "balling- 

 gun" (obtainable at any veterinary instrument maker's) or by the hand. 

 If given by the hand a mouth speculum or gag should be used to prevent 

 the animal from biting the hand or crushing the ball. Always loosen 

 the horse before attempting to give a ball; if tied he may break his 

 halter and injure himself or the one giving the ball. With a little 

 practice it is much easier to give a ball without the mouth-gag, as the 

 horse always fights more or less against having his mouth forced open. 

 The tongue must be firmly grasped with the left hand and gently i)ul]ed 

 forward; the ball, slightly moistened, is then to be placed with the tips 

 of the fingers of the right hand as far back into the mouth as possible; 

 as the tongue is loosened it is drawn back into the mouth and carries 

 the ball backward with it. Tiie mouth should be kept closed for a 

 minute or two. We should always have a pail of water at hand to 

 offer the horse after balling. This i^recaution will often prevent him 

 from coughing out the ball or its becoming lodged in the gullet. 



It is, very often, impossible to get balls i>roperly made, or to induce 

 owners or attendants to attempt to give them, and for these reasons med- 

 icines by tbe mouth are mostly given in the form of drenches. When 

 medicine is to be given as a drench we must be careful to use enough 

 water or oiltothoroughly dissolve or dilute it; more than this makes the 

 drench bulky and is unnecessary. Insoluble medicines, if not irritant or 

 corrosive, may be given simply suspended in water ; the bottle to be 

 well shaken immediately before giving the drench. The bottle used for 

 drenching purposes should be clean, strong, and smooth about its 

 neck ; it should be without shoulders, tapering, and of a size to suit 

 the amount to be given. A horn or tin bottle may be better, in that 

 they are not so easily broken by the teeth. If the dose is a small one 



