ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICINES. 7 
CHAPTER III. 
MEDICINES AND THEIR ADMINISTRATION. 
MEDICINES may be introduced into the system in various ways, — through 
the skin, the mucous membrane, and the subcutaneous tissue. When simply 
placed in contact with the skin there is but very little absorption. That process 
is hastened somewhat when friction is employed; and it is much more rapid 
if the cuticle is removed. The introduction of medicinal agents by means of 
raw surfaces was formerly practised quite extensively, but at the present time it 
is seldom resorted to. The fact that more ready absorption occurs when the 
skin is off, has been wounded, or broken —as in eruptions — should be remem- 
bered in using ointments or lotions which have poisonous ingredients. Lini- 
ments should also be used cautiously when the skin is not perfect, for those 
commonly employed contain agents that are stimulating and irritating, even if 
not poisonous; and such must cause at least very painful smarting. Subcuta- 
neous or hypodermic injections are administered to relieve pain and when it is 
highly important that the effects of the medicines be obtained as soon as possi- 
ble. Dogs vomit with such exceeding ease, this method of using drugs which 
must remain in the system and can be so introduced recommends itself as most 
efficacious ; and all owners of large kennels may properly be encouraged to 
have always in their medicine-chests a hypodermic syringe, together with tablets 
of the medicines that are likely to be required in emergencies, especially 
apomorphine. 
Medicines introduced under the skin act more powerfully, as well as with 
greater rapidity, than in any other way; and the pain caused by the prick of the 
hollow needle of the syringe is but slight. Considering the first fact, mani- 
festly it would not be advisable to administer subcutaneously more than one- 
half the dose that could safely be given by the mouth. It is scarcely necessary 
to add that the hypodermic syringe is an instrument capable of doing the 
greatest possible harm, therefore it should never be resorted to by non-profes- 
sionals who have not been first properly instructed in its use; and even with 
them it should be restricted to desperate cases in which delay is likely to prove 
fatal. 
Some constitutional as well as local effects may be obtained from inhalation. 
In this way insensibility is induced by chloroform and ether, and spasms are 
relaxed by nitrate of amyl. Aside from these agents, there are but few that 
