OFFICIAL PREPARATIONS 67 



In giving drenches to cattle the operator stands on their left and 

 passes his right arm between the horns over the poll and down in front 

 of the faccj grasping the nasal septum between the thumb and forefinger. 

 The neck of the bottle is then thrust with the left hand into the animal's 

 mouth. Dogs are given drenches with the aid of an assistant^ who holds 

 the mouth closed with one hand, while he makes a cup by pulling the cor- 

 ner of the lip away from the teeth with the other hand, into which the 

 medicine may be slowly poured, the animal easily swallowing it. Small 

 dogs may be placed sitting upon a table. A large dog may be put upon 

 his hind quarters in a corner, and his head held between the knees of the 

 operator. Cats are given drenches by rolling them in a heavy blanket 

 with only the head out and the jaws held apart by means of two loops of 

 tape about either jaw behind the incisor teeth. The jaws are then pulled 

 apart by drawing on either loop from above and below the animal's head. 

 Sheep may be drenched by backing them into a corner and by holding the 

 head of the animal between the knees of the operator. 



Drenches should never be poured into animals if in an unconscious 

 condition, for then they are unable to swallow, and the fluid may gravitate 

 into the trachea. If coughing ensues during the administration of a 

 drench, the procedure should be immediately stopped. 



A pint syringe may be used to drench the larger animals. The jaws 

 are held closed by a strap or rope about the head and the lips held to- 

 gether by an attendant. 



The nozzle of the syringe, or a rubber tube connected with it, is 

 introduced at one corner of the mouth and the fluid injected toward the 

 back of the tongue. 



Electuarium, pi. electuaria. — Electuaries are medicinal pastes in- 

 tended to be smeared on the teeth of animals, where they melt at the 

 temperature of the body and become absorbed. Molasses, honey, glycerin, 

 syrup or mucilage are used as excipients. Electuaries are used for their 

 local action on the mouth and throat, and for convenience in administra- 

 tion, if so crude a method may be thus described. A certain specified 

 quantity of the electuary may be weighed by the dispenser and served as 

 a sample, or a domestic utensil may be employed to measure the dose, 

 which is smeared with a thin, flat stick on the back teeth or tongue of 

 the patient. 



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