10 KENNEL DISEASES. 
In purchasing medicines, the most reliable dealers should be patronized. It 
is not economy to buy drugs where they are very cheap, for such purchases are 
quite sure to be old, of a low grade, or adulterated; while the compounding of 
prescriptions should be intrusted to apothecaries of known competency only. 
Let it be remembered that nearly all mixtures undergo changes in time; 
therefore it is wise always to have only small quantities prepared; also to throw 
away what remains of mixtures of medicines at once after their use is perma- 
nently stopped. 
As previously advised, if possible, medicines should be concealed in tooth- 
some morsels of meat or disguised in milk or broths. When this is not possible, 
and force must be used in their administration, if kindness and patience are 
exhibited, the operation ought not to prove difficult. Where the medicine to be 
given is in the form of a bolus or large pill, this method may be employed : 
Grasp the muzzle of the patient firmly with the left hand, the thumb and fore- 
finger on either side pressing in the upper lips, covering the teeth and thus pre- 
venting the dog from biting. His mouth being opened and head elevated, carry 
the pill back into the throat as far as possible, and shut the jaws. If he does 
not swallow immediately, he will do so as soon as his nostrils are closed and 
breathing through them is stopped. 
When liquids are to be administered, it is generally necessary to have an 
assistant. He who gives the medicine should sit on a chair, and have his 
clothing protected by means of a large napkin or apron. With the dog between 
his legs, back towards him, he should hold the animal’s head with his knees, and 
firmly grasp his muzzle with the left hand, so as to keep the jaws and teeth 
together. Now with the forefinger of his right hand he should gently pull out- 
ward the lower lip on the corresponding side, that it may form a pouch or sort 
of a funnel, into which the assistant is to pour the medicine. This he should do 
slowly and deliberately. The dog’s head being held by the knees, in a vice as 
it were, he cannot shake the medicine out. When the grasp on the muzzle is 
slightly relaxed he will at once extend his tongue and swallow. If all does not 
go down at a gulp, the muzzle should be quickly pinched for a moment, and 
again the grasp be relaxed. And this operation should be repeated until the 
medicine has all passed into the stomach. 
This same method may be employed in cases in which the dogs are uncon- 
scious and cannot be made to swallow, for the fluid will safely trickle down the 
throat if only a little at a time be dropped into the improvised funnel or cup. 
When the medicine is of very unpleasant taste it is advisable to keep the 
patient’s head elevated for several minutes, to prevent vomiting. 
To endeavor to give medicine from a glass bottle, the neck of the same being 
forced into the patient’s throat, is a somewhat dangerous practice, therefore can- 
not be recommended. 
Injections by the bowels are sometimes called for in obstinate constipation; 
