142 POTJfiIN& MEDICITfB DOWN THE NOSTEILS. 



rattling, gurgling sounds in the windpipe ; violent beating of 

 the heart, and disturbance of the pulse ; cold, clammy sweats, 

 and great restlessness. Sometimes, though rarely, death results. 

 In the generality of instances, however, particularly if the 

 fluid be merely tincture of some kind freely diluted with water, 

 the violence will gradually subside ; but if the liquid be dense, 

 as thick gruel for example, the symptoms are not only more 

 violent, but the effects are more prolonged, and more likely to 

 be productive of a fatal result. 



PorEiNG Medioine down the Nostbils. — Many indi- 

 viduals advocate the pouring of medicine down the nostrils of 

 the patient, which is highly reprehensible ; and, if resorted to 

 by an unskilful operator, or one not aware of the dangerous 

 results which may ensue, the consequences I have just described 

 are almost certain to supervene. In certain cases of a very 

 extreme and peculiar kind, I have on several occasions been 

 compelled to administer medicine in this manner ; but unless 

 imperatively required, it should not be practised, and even 

 then none but a veterinary surgeon should undertake the 

 operation. 



Medicine mixed with Food. — Another way of giving 

 medicine is to pour the necessary quantity into a large clean 

 dish, and add to it a little bran or corn, and present it to the 

 patient. It is rarely the animal refuses to eat what is thus 

 offered, unless the drug be very unpalatable. This method 

 will often be found successful when the violence of the patient 

 renders any other impracticable. This mode, however, can 

 only be resorted to with patients affected with a sub-acute or 

 chronic disease ; for if it be of any other character, the animal 

 will not eat. 



