164 MANUAL OF FARM ANIMALS 



take advantage of such supports and will get much relief by 

 leaning against them. 



ADMINISTERING MEDICINE 



In giving medicine the rule should be to give only for a definite 

 purpose. This rule must be strictly followed or more ill than 

 good will result. While medicine may be given in many ways, 

 we will discuss only a few of the more simple, such as drench- 

 ing, hypodermic medication, external medication, and enemas 

 (or injection into the rectum), and counter-irritants. 



Drenching. — A very convenient way to give medicine to the 

 horse is by " drenching." The medicines are first dissolved in 

 water or other suitable liquid. Just enough liquid should be 

 added thoroughly to dissolve the medicine, as more than this 

 makes the drench bulky and is unnecessary. Insoluble medicine, 

 if not irritant or corrosive, may be given simply suspended in the 

 water. The bottle should be well shaken immediately before 

 giving the drench. It should be clean, strong, and have 

 a smooth long neck. The head of the horse should be slightly 

 elevated. To do this, place a loop in the end of a rope and in- 

 troduce this loop into the mouth just behind the upper front 

 teeth, then place the free end over a beam and draw the head up, 

 not too high, for in such cases the horses cannot swallow. Gradu- 

 ally pour the medicine into the horse's mouth at the corner. If 

 the horse strangles, lower his head. 



Hypodermic medication. — Medicines are frequently given by 

 the hypodermic syringe under the skin. In this method much 

 smaller quantities of medicine are required to produce given 

 effects than when given by the mouth, there is less liability to 

 waste, and the action of the medicine is much more rapid and 

 certain. The use of the hypodermic syringe, however, requires 

 more skill, and one should 'understand it thoroughly before at- 

 tempting to use it. The medicine should be sufficiently diluted, 

 otherwise it' will injure the tissue and cause severe pain. It must 



