MANAGEMENT AND CARE. 33 



ter entering the instrument pour the liquid into the funnel. The liquid 

 from the funnel will by the force from its own weight gradually find its 

 way into the rectum. Every owner of horses and cattle should provide 

 himself with such an instrument. Of course in case such an instrument 

 is not at hand, the old way may be resorted to, namely; the bladder tied 

 to a hollow elder stick. 



Giving' a Ball. To one who has never given a ball, a few directions 

 may not be amiss. The method described by Gamgee is easily learned 

 by following his directions, as follows: First, "turn the animal from the 

 manger with a halter on, held by an assistant. Attempting to give a 

 ball to a horse tied up in a stall has before this proved a fatal experi- 

 ment to the operator. Second; it is extremely dangerous to resort to 

 twitching with awkward horses, as our power in keeping the mouth 

 open depends on the moderate stretch on the tongue, which is not felt 

 or cared for by a horse severely punished by a twitch on his ear. Third; 

 stand on the off side of the horse's head, with a cloth in the left hand 

 to wipe the mouth, should there be, as in some cases an excess of saliva 

 to interfere with holding the tongue; the left hand is placed on the 

 horse's crest, while the right is put into the angle of the mouth, the 

 tongue is seized gently, wiped if necessary, grasped with the left hand 

 and drawn downwards. Some compress the tongue against the left 

 side of the lower jaw, bringing it between the molar (back) teeth on 

 that side. Others drag the tongue out of the mouth, and hold it firmly. 

 It is very important to hold it so that, in any movement the horse may 

 take, there is a point of support for the hand against the lower jaw. 

 Pulling on the tongue may give unnecessary pain, make a horse rest- 

 less, and in tossing his head about, the tongue may be severely lacer- 

 ated. Fourth; the ball, which has been ready all the time in the waist- 

 coat pocket, or grasped by the lips of the operator, is seized, and avoid- 

 ing unnecessary hustle and hurry, it is carried up the middle of the 

 mouth and dropped on the back of the tongue; at the same instant 

 the tongue is quietly let loose, and as the horse draws it back, 

 the ball is held in the back part of the mouth, from which it can- 

 not come except by a fit of coughing; as soon as the hands are with- 

 drawn, the mouth is kept closed, and the left side of the neck watched 

 to see the ball pass down the oesophagus; this may occur before looking 

 round to the neck, so that, after waiting a little, if the ball is not seen 

 the horse should be caused to drink a little water. It is well to always 

 give a drink after giving a ball, as it is disagreeable to leave an animal, 



