ADMINISTRATION Of? MEDICINES. 11 



By the stomach. — Medicines are introduced directly into the first 

 stomach by the use of an esophageal tube or through the canula of a 

 trocar passed into the paunch through the side. This method is used 

 in the treatment of diseases of digestion. 



By the rectum. — Medicines are usually administered by the rec- 

 tum for the purpose of controlling the bowels and for the treatment 

 of local diseases. Sometimes, however, medicines that have a gen- 

 eral effect are given in this way when, for any reason, it is not possi- 

 ble or convenient to give them through the mouth. Only drugs that 

 are readily absorbed should be given per rectum for a general effect 

 and in somewhat larger dose or more frequently than when given by 

 the mouth. Such stimulants as ether, alcohol, or the aromatic spirits 

 of ammonia, diluted with from four to six times their bulk of warm 

 water, may be used in this way. 



Rectal injections, or enemata, are used in the treatment of consti- 

 pation. If it is the purpose of the injection to soften hardened fecal 

 masses, the water should be comfortably warm and it may have a 

 little clean soap in it. If it is the purpose of the injection to stimu- 

 late sluggish bowels to contraction, the water may be cold. 



In giving rectal injections a rectal syringe may be used, or, better, 

 a piece of one-half to three-quarter inch rubber hose 5 feet long with 

 a tin funnel attached to one end. The hose is soaped or oiled and 

 introduced slowly and gently into the rectum 2 or 3 feet. The fluid 

 is then slowly poured into the funnel and allowed to gravitate into 

 the rectum. The same apparatus may be used for feeding by the 

 rectum. 



By the vagina. — Medicines are inserted into the vagina, and 

 through the vagina into the womb, in a manner similar to that of 

 rectal administration. Most of the medication made use of in this 

 way is for the local treatment of these organs. Following calving, 

 during outbreaks of abortion, and in an infectious disease of the 

 vagina, such injections become necessary. 



By the udder. — Injections into the udder are now regularly made 

 in the treatment of parturient paresis (milk fever). For this pur- 

 pose a 1 per cent solution of iodid of potash is commonly employed, 

 although some other solutions and oxygen gas are also used. In mak- 

 ing this injection there are so many precautions necessary in relation 

 to the sterilization of the apparatus and the teats and skin that this 

 work should be left in the hands of a skilled veterinarian. The result 

 of the introduction of even a minute quantity of infectious dirt may 

 be the loss of the udder. For making this injection one may use one 

 of the prepared sets of apparatus or a milking tube and funnel con- 

 nected by a piece of small rubber hose. The apparatus should be 

 boiled and wrapped in a clean towel until needed. The udder and 

 teats and the hands of the operator must be well disinfected, and 

 the solution must be freshly made with recently boiled water kept 



