ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICINES. 9 
safely borne while in middle life. And indeed there are drugs, notably arsenic, 
which have such an unfavorable influence on old dogs, that unless all other means 
have been first tried and failed, they should not be resorted to. 
The foregoing rule governing doses is for mature dogs. While the maturing 
period differs in the various breeds, in graduating doses it is safe to consider as 
mature all that have passed the tenth month. Thus to a St. Bernard even only 
a few days over ten months of age can be given the same quantity or dose of a 
medicine that would be right for an adult. 
Habit materially modifies the effects of most medicines. That is, the system 
becomes accustomed to them, and after a time dogs can bear larger doses than 
at first. In this connection it is important to remember that when a medicine 
has been gradually increased, and then discontinued for two or three weeks, the 
system, soon renewing its susceptibility, is no longer tolerant of very large doses ; 
and if that same medicine is to be again given, a return should be made to the 
smallest and commencing dose, otherwise the result might be harmful. 
Almost all drugs act more powerfully on an empty stomach than when it holds 
solids or fluids; but some are too irritating to be so given. Arsenic, iron, and 
cod-liver oil should always be administered at the time of, or immediately after, 
eating, to mingle and be slowly absorbed with the food. When the directions 
are not ample, and one is in doubt as to the proper time for giving other medi- 
cines, let it be between meals, — neither just before nor just after feeding. Oil 
can generally be best administered while floating on milk. All pills, granules, or 
powders that can be concealed in a little meat, should be so treated. Fluids of 
strong taste should be invariably diluted with water; while the quantity of the 
latter used is a matter of no special consequence. Quinine coagulates milk, 
therefore it should not be given with that food, nor near the time of taking it. 
All mixtures should be shaken before the bottles containing them are opened. 
No liquid medicines should be allowed to stand uncorked. 
Time being often of the utmost importance, and since a simple remedy applied 
at once may avert grave results, it is advisable that all large kennels be provided 
with certain drugs with which to meet emergencies. Only a small number will 
be needed, and the boxes and bottles containing them should be conveniently 
arranged and distinctly labelled. Among the medicines which may properly be 
selected are, the powdered sulphate of copper, — an emetic, — half an ounce ; cas- 
tor oil and sweet oil, of each four ounces; a small piece of caustic fastened in a 
quill, and enclosed in a well-corked bottle; a mixture, of equal parts by weight, 
of Canada balsam and carbolic acid crystals, about half an ounce — for sudden 
breaking-out and intense itching; flowers of sulphur, half a pound; a small jar 
of vaselin or petrolatum; several light-colored areca nuts; a syringe, and clini- 
cal thermometer. After familiarizing himself with the measures recommended 
for the various diseases to be discussed hereafter, the reader may deem it wise 
to make a few additions to this list. 
