METHODS OF ADMINISTERING MEDICINES, AT 
Inhalation—Gaseous and volatile medicines are given by inhala- 
tion, as is also medicated steam or vapor. Of the gases used there 
may be mentioned, as the chief ones, sulphurous acid gas and, occa- 
sionally, chlorin. The animal or animals are to be placed in a tight 
room, where these gases are generated until the atmosphere is suffi- 
ciently impregnated with them. Volatile medicines—as the an- 
esthetics (ether, chloroform, etc.)—are to be given by the attending 
surgeon only. Medicated vapors are to be inhaled by placing a 
bucket containing hot water, vinegar and water, scalded hay or 
bran, to which carbolic acid, iodin, compound tincture of benzoin, 
or other medicines have been added, in the bottom of a long grain 
bag. The horse’s nose is to be inserted into the top of the bag, and 
he thus inhales the “medicated steam.” Care must be taken not to 
have it hot enough to scald the animal. The vapor from scalding 
bran or hay is often thus inhaled to favor discharges in sore throat 
or “ distemper.” 
Injections are made into the trachea by means of a hypodermic 
syringe. This method of medication is used for the purpose of treat- 
ing local diseases of the trachea and upper bronchial tubes. It has 
also been used as a mode of administering remedies for their constitu- 
tional effect, but is now rarely used for this purpose. 
The nasal douche is employed by the veterinarian in treating some 
local diseases of the nasal chambers. Special appliances and profes- 
sional knowledge are necessary when using liquid medicines by this 
method. It is not often resorted to, even by veterinary surgeons, 
since, as a rule, the horse objects very strongly to this mode of 
medication. 
By THE sk1n.—Medicines are often administered to our hair- 
covered animals by the skin, yet care must be taken in applying 
some medicines—as tobacco water, carbolic-acid solutions, strong 
creolin solutions, mercurial ointment, etc.—over the entire body, as 
poisoning and death follow in some instances from absorption 
through the skin. For the same reasons care must also be exercised 
and poisonous medicines not applied over very large raw or abraded 
surfaces. With domestic animals medicines are only to be applied 
by the skin to allay local pain or cure local disease. 
By THE TISSUE BENEATH THE SKIN (HYPODERMATIC METHOD ) .— 
Medicines are frequently given by the hypodermic syringe under the 
skin. It is not safe for any but medical or veterinary practitioners 
to use this form of medication, since the medicines thus given are 
powerful poisons. There are many precautions to be observed, and 
a knowledge of anatomy is indispensable. One of the chief precau- 
tions has to do with the sterilization of the syringe. If it is not sterile 
an abscess may be produced. 
By THE REcTUM.—Medicines may. be given by the rectum when 
they can not be given by the mouth, or when thev are not retained in 
