10 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



The medicine can now be poured into the mouth by inserting the neck 

 of the bottle between the lips on the right side. Care must be taken 

 to avoid getting the bottle between the back teeth. The mouth of the 

 bottle should be inserted as far as the middle of the tongue and the 

 contents poured slowly. If the cow coughs, the head must at once 

 be lowered to permit the fluid to escape from the larynx. If one per- 

 sists in giving medicine during coughing, some of the dose may pass 

 down the windpipe to the lungs and cause a severe or a fatal pneu- 

 monia. This accident is especially to be guarded against when the 

 throat is partly paralyzed or insensitive, as in parturient paresis (milk 

 fever). In this disease it has often happened that drenches have been 

 poured into the lungs, thus killing the cow. 



The amount of fluid to be given in a drench depends upon the effect 

 that is sought and the nature of the medicine. In impactions of the 

 stomach very large quantities of fluid may be given — as much as a 

 gallon or several gallons at a time. Usually, however, it is not cus- 

 tomary or desirable to give more than from 1 to 2 quarts at a dose, 

 and not more than a pint unless it be necessary on account of the 

 irritant quality of the drug that has to be shielded with a large quan- 

 tity of the vehicle. 



Medicines that are soluble should be completely dissolved before 

 they are given. Insoluble medicines should be finely divided by 

 powdering or by shaking, and should be well agitated and mixed 

 immediately before they are given. In the latter case a menstruum 

 with considerable body, such as molasses or flaxseed tea or milk, will 

 help to hold solids or oils in suspension until swallowed. 



Balls are large pills adapted for the larger animals. Powders or 

 gums are sometimes mixed with an adhesive substance and rolled 

 into balls for the purpose of convenience of administration. Balls 

 are not so much used and are not so well adapted to the medica- 

 tion of cattle as of horses. The process of solution is slower in the 

 paunch of a cow than in the stomach of a horse ; and if the cow is so 

 sick as to have stopped ruminating, a ball may become covered up 

 and lost in the mass of material in the paunch and so lie for days 

 producing no effect whatever. 



Capsules are shells or envelopes made of soluble gelatine in which 

 powders or liquids may be inclosed. Capsules and balls are adminis- 

 tered by being placed on the tongue well back in the mouth while 

 the tongue is drawn forward and the mouth is held open by a block 

 of wood between the back teeth. The ball should be dropped the 

 tongue released, and the block removed as nearly simultaneously as 

 possible, so that the backward carriage of the tongue will throw the 

 ball into the throat and lead to its being swallowed. Care must be 

 taken to avoid having the hand cut or crushed while introducing the 

 ball. After a little experience it is possible to do away with the block 

 of wood between the teeth for keeping the mouth open. 



