METHODS OF ADMINISTERING MEDICINES. 45 
When balls are to be given we should observe the following direc- 
tions: In shape they should be cylindrical, of the size above men- 
tioned, and soft enough to be easily compressed by the fingers. If 
made round or egg-shaped, if too long or too hard, they are liable to 
become fixed in the gullet and cause choking. Balls may be given 
with the “balling gun” (obtainable at any veterinary instrument 
maker’s) or by the hand. If given by the hand a mouth speculum or 
gag may be used to prevent the animal from biting the hand or crush- 
ing the ball. Always loosen the horse before attempting to give a 
ball; if tied he may break his halter and injure himself or the one 
giving the ball. With a little practice it is much easier to give a ball 
without the mouth gag, as the horse always fights more or less against 
having his mouth forced open. The tongue must be firmly grasped 
with the left hand and gently pulled forward; the ball, slightly 
moistened, is then to be placed with the tips of the fingers of the 
right hand as far back into the mouth as possible; as the tongue is 
loosened it is drawn back into the mouth and carries the ball back- 
ward with it. The mouth should be kept closed for a minute or two. 
We should always have a pail of water at hand to offer the horse 
after balling. This precaution will often prevent him from cough- 
ing out the ball or its becoming lodged in the gullet. 
Pastes or electuaries are medicines mixed with licorice-root pow- 
der, ground flaxseed, molasses, or sirup to the consistency of honey, 
or a “soft solid.” They are intended, chiefly, to act locally upon the 
mouth and throat. They are given by being spread upon the tongue, 
gums, or teeth with a wooden paddle or strong, long-handled spoon. 
Liquids.—It is, very often, impossible to get balls properly made, 
or to induce owners or attendants to attempt to give them, and for 
these reasons medicines by the mouth are mostly given in the form 
of liquids. Liquids may be given as drenches when the dose is large, 
or they may, when but a small quantity is administered, be injected 
into the mouth with a hard-rubber syringe or be poured upon the 
tongue from a small vial. 
When medicine is to be given as a drench we must be careful to use 
water or oil enough to dissolve or dilute it thoroughly ; more than this 
makes the drench bulky and is unnecessary. Insoluble medicines, if 
not irritant or corrosive, may be given simply suspended in water, 
the bottle to be well shaken immediately before giving the drench. 
The bottle used for drenching purposes should be clean, strong, and 
smooth about its neck; it should be without shoulders, tapering, and 
of a size to suit the amount to be given. A horn or tin bottle may be 
better, because it is not so easily broken by the teeth. If the dose is 
a small one the horse’s head may be held up by the left hand, while 
the medicine is poured into the mouth by the right. The left thumb 
is to be placed in the angle of the lower jaw, and the fingers spread 
