MODE OF GIVING A PILL. 365 
very dangerous drug in human medicine, rarely does harm to the 
canine species, and treble the dose which is enough for a man will 
be required for the dog. On the other hand, calomel is quite the 
reverse, being extremely liable to produce great irritation on the 
lining membrane of the dog’s stomach and. bowels. 
MODE OF GIVING A BOLUS OR PILL. 
If the dog is small, take him on the lap, without harshness, and 
if inclined to use his claws tie a coarse towel round his neck, 
letting it fall down in front, which will muffle them effectually ; 
then with the finger and thumb of the left hand press open the 
mouth by insinuating them between the teeth, far enough back 
to take in the cheeks, and so to compel the mouth to open from 
the pain given by the pressure against the teeth, while it also 
prevents the dog from biting the fingers. Then raising the nose, 
drop the pill as far back as possible, and push it well down the 
throat with the forefinger of the right hand. Let go with the 
left, still hold the nose up, keeping the mouth shut, and the pill 
is sure to go down. A large dog requires two persons to give a 
pill if he is at all inclined to resist. First, back him into a corner, 
then stride over him, and putting a thick cloth into his mouth, 
bring it together over the nose, where it is held by the left hand ; 
the right can then generally lay hold of the lower jaw. But 
if the dog is very obstinate and inclined to resist, another cloth 
must also be placed over that, and then drawing them apart, an 
assistant can push the pill down. Very often a piece of meat 
may be used to wrap the pill up in, and the dog will readily bolt 
it; but sometimes it is desirable to avoid this, as it may be 
necessary to give the medicine by itself. Even large dogs, how- 
ever, are seldom so troublesome as to require the above precau- 
tions in giving pills, though they almost always obstinately refuse 
liquid medicine when they have tasted it once or twice. 
MODE OF DRENCHING THE DOG, 
If a small quantity only is to be given, the dog’s head being 
held, the liquid may be poured through the closed teeth, by making 
