GIVING MEDICINES TO ANIMALS

Temuka Leader, Issue 1072, 17 February 1883, Page 3

GIVING MEDICINES TO ANIMALS

In administering medicines to his animals, writes D. D. Slade, the knowledge ofjhow to do it is essential to every famer and he may not be able to always obtain it from his books at ban' l . The most ready manner of giving medicinal substances is by mixing them with the drink or food. This, however, is not. always practicable, as the animal may refuse the mixture or may be to weak to make the effort to take it. It must then be given in the shape of a ball, or by drench from a horn or.bottle. One most essential anatomical point to be remembered by every one in the giving of medicine, especially in liquid form, is that the tongue should be free. It is mainly by the muscular movements of this organ that the entrance to the windpipe is closed during the passage of food or liquid into the gullet. The introduction of the smallest quantity into the air passages at once causes intense irritation, made evident by coughing. By preventing natural movements of the tongue, we run much risk of producing suffocation. When practicable, the ball is the most convenient form of administering medicine to a herse when he will not take his food. The ball should be prepared with oil rather than with syrup, and both in shape and size should resemble a small hen’s egg. One person can give it by standing at the right shoulder of the animal when backed into a stall. With the left hand draw the tongue out gently upon the right side, not pulling it, but simply pressing it upon the lower jaw. The ball, held between the tips of the fingers of the right hand, is conveyed into the posterior portion of the mouth, and the hand quickly withdrawn and the tongue liberated. If the ball is not seen to pass down the gullet on the left side of the throat, a gentle blew on the chin will cause the animal to swallow, or water may be offered. Where the animal is at all refractory or vicious, it may be necessary to hold the Jaw open by the halterrope, or in some casea by the balling iron, an instrument made for this use. In giving a drench to a horse a horn should be used in preference to (he bottle, for fear of breakage; Standing at the right shoulder, raise the head with the loft hand under the jaw, and with the right hand pass the lip of the horn into the side of the mouth, and empty its contents the head being kept up until they are swallowed. If the animal is violent, place a twitch upon the doss, to be held by an assistant; or if he refuses to open the mouth, the tongue may be gently held to one side, the horn introduced, quickly emptied, and the tongue liberated at once. Under all circumstances, the greatest gentleness must bo exercised, Nothing can be gained by impatience or by harsh treatment. For the cow, liquid medicine is preferable, given from the bottle rather than the horn. The bottle is more manageable, and one ii less tempted to upe it to pry open the Jaws, and perhaps thus lacerate the tongue also. Elevate the head only enough to prevent the liquid running from the mouth. The bottle should not be pushed back far into the throat. The tongue should be left free. The following is a very neat aud efficacious method : If standing, place the left side of the animal against the wall, and standing on the right side hold of the upper Jaw by passing the left arm over the head, and bending the latter far round to the light, slightly elevating itWith the right hand, pour the contents of the bottle into the mouth at its angle, using the least possible force.