METHODS OF ADMINISTERING MEDICINES. 
By Cu. B. Micuener, V. S. 
[Revised by Leonard Pearson, B. 8., V. M. D.] 
Medicine may enter the body through any of the following desig- 
nated channels: First, by the mouth; second, by the air passages; 
third, by the skin; fourth, by the tissue beneath the skin (hypo- 
dermic methods) ; fifth, by the rectum; sixth, by the genito-urinary 
passages; and, seventh, by the blood (intravenous injections). 
By Tue mouru.—Medicines can be given by the mouth in the 
form of solids, as powders or pills; liquids, and pastes, or electuaries. 
Powders.—Solids administered as powders should be as finely pul- 
verized as possible, in order to obtain rapid solution and absorption. 
Their action is in this way facilitated and intensified. Powders must 
be free from any irritant or caustic action upon the mouth. Those 
that are without any disagreeable taste or smell are readily eaten 
with the feed or taken in the drinking water. When placed with the 
feed they should first be dissolved or suspended in water and thus 
sprinkled on the feed. If mixed dry the horse will often leave the 
medicine in the bottom of his manger. Nonirritant powders may be 
given in capsules, as balls are given. 
Pills, or “ balls,” when properly made, are cylindrical in shape, 2 
inches in length and about three-fourths of an inch in diameter. 
They should be fresh, but if necessary to keep them some time they 
should be made up with glycerin, or some such agent, to prevent 
their becoming too hard. Very old, hard balls are sometimes passed 
whole with the manure without being acted upon at all. Paper is 
sometimes wrapped around balls when given, if they are so sticky as 
to adhere to the fingers or the balling gun. Paper used for this pur- 
pose should be thin but firm, as the tougher tissue papers. Balls are 
preferred to drenches when the medicine is extremely disagreeable or 
nauseating; when the dose is not too large; when the horse is difficult 
to drench; or when the médicine is intended to act slowly. Certain 
medicines can not or should not be made into balls, as medicines 
requiring to be given in large doses, oils, caustic substances, unless in 
small dose and diluted and thoroughly mixed with the vehicle, deli- 
quescent, or efflorescent salts. Substances suitable for balls can be 
made up by the addition of honey, sirup, soap, etc., when required 
for immediate use. Gelatin capsules of different sizes are now obtain- 
able and are a convenient means of giving medicines in ball form. 
44 
