GENERAL MANAGEMENT. II 



" It's no use, sir, we can't give him the medicine ; the more 

 we try, the more he struggles, fights, and bites." This in the 

 majority of cases is so. The reason for which is that, as a 

 rule, strength, versus system is the plan adopted. As with our- 

 selves, so with the dog, there is a right and a wrong way in the 

 taking or administering of medicine. 



The medicine is in the form of a pill or draught. The 

 former may be given one or two ways : first, taking the ani- 

 mal in the lap, or rearing him up between the knees, the up- 

 per part of the mouth is then grasped with the hand, and the 

 lips on either side thrust between the teeth ; security against 

 the operator being bitten, is gained by the dog being afraid of 

 biting and hurting himself. The head is then elevated, the 

 pill is dropped into the posterior part of the mouth, and the 

 jaws immediately closed and held so ; and if the animal re- 

 fuses to swallow it, placing the fingers on or compressing the 

 nostrils will speedily compel him to do so. Pushing the pill 

 down with the finger is injudicious and unnecessary. The 

 other and more advisable way, if it can be contrived, is by 

 deception — i.e., clothing the pill in a little meat, and throwing 

 it to the animal to bolt. 



With regard to draughts, they should be administered as 

 follows : The animal being placed in the same position as for 

 the pill, the angle of the mouth is drawn away from the teeth, 

 and into the pouch thus formed the medicine may be poured ; 

 the same means as recommended in the former will, if he re- 

 fuses, compel him lo swallow it. 



Some forms of medicine, more or less tasteless from the 

 minuteness of the dose, may be given in a little milk or broth, 

 which the animal laps voluntarily. 



