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PRINCIPLES OF VETERINARY SCIENCE 



subcutaneously and intravenously, as absorption is more prompt. 

 However, the method employed will depend 

 on the kind of animal, the form of the medi- 

 cine, and the nature of the disease. The 

 forms in which medicines are dispensed are 

 liquid, ball, powder, paste and hypodermic 

 tablets. 



Liquid medicines are given as a drench by 

 means of a taper-necked bottle, or a dose 

 syringe (Fig. 98). Care should be exercised 

 to avoid strangling the animal through the 

 medicine "going down the wrong way" and 

 passing into the lungs. 



Balls or pills are placed on the back part of 

 the tongue by the fingers or a balling gun. 

 A gelatin capsule is the most satisfactory 

 covering for this form of medication. Liquid 

 or powdered drugs may be administered in 

 capsules. Compressed tablets are also used. 



Powdered drugs are administered in the 

 feed or drink, if they are nearly tasteless, but 

 animals will refuse strong tasting medicines 

 offered in this manner, in winch event some 

 other means of administration must be sought. 



Electuaries are preparations of medicines 

 a-M-Jfr in the form of a paste made by mixing with 



a syrup. The mixture is administered by 

 smearing it on the teeth or tongue. 



Hypodermic tablets are employed when the 

 medicine is in condensed form, readily soluble, 

 and free from germs. A small syringe, fitted 

 with a hollow needle, that can be sterilized 

 in boiling water is required to introduce medi- 

 cines under the skin (Fig. 99). 



THE ACTIONS AND USES OF MEDICINES 



Fig. 99.— Veteri- 

 nary hypodermic 

 syringe. 



Medicinal agents act either locally or 

 generally, depending upon the agent employed 

 and the way it is administered. They are grouped into various 



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