ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICINES
Medicines are conveyed into the body as drenches, balls, enemas, and injections under the skin or into the veins. There is nothing mysterious about any of them.
Giving Medicines in a Ball.
—The practice of giving medicines in a ball is a very old one, and has much to recommend it. Many nauseous agents as aloes, opium, arsenic, asafetida, are thus conveyed to the stomach without causing annoyance and disgust to the patient. The balls are wrapped in paper, dough, or gelatin capsules, and may weigh an ounce or two. In giving a ball the following plan is usually followed: Hold the ball between the thumb and first two fingers. Now seize the tongue at about its middle and gently draw it out to the side of the mouth, in such a way that the right hand may be inserted into the mouth and the ball placed far back on the tongue, when the hand is withdrawn, the tongue replaced and the halter or strap wrapped around the jaws until the ball is swallowed.
Giving Medicines in a Drench.
—The drench is usually employed for liquid medicines. It is best to dilute the medicines with water, milk, or oil that they may more readily reach the stomach and at the same time exercise no injury to the structures through which they pass.
In giving a drench exercise as much patience as possible. To horses it should be given slowly. If there is any disposition to cough, lower the head, and then proceed as before.
Poultices.
—These are made of a variety of things, bread, bran, and linseed meal being the most common. Any substance that will hold water and retain heat will serve the purpose.
Mustard Plasters.
—These are made with mustard and water, cold water being the most desirable. Mix to a thin paste. If the part to which the plaster is to be applied is covered with thick, long hair, a very thin plaster will more quickly soak into the skin. This kind of plaster is most commonly applied to the throat, the windpipe, the sides of the chest, the abdomen and over the region of the liver. To get the best effect for the last named, apply on the right side at a point four or five inches behind the back ribs.
Blistering.
—The first step in blistering is the clipping of the hair over the diseased part, and the removal of dirt and scurf attached to the skin. The blister is to be worked into the skin, and usually ten minutes of rubbing will be necessary to produce the desired results.
In the course of twenty-four hours blisters will form, and some swelling in the region is likely to be manifest. On the third day bathe the part with warm water and soap. After drying, apply vaseline, lard, or sweet oil. The blister should be repeated if the results of the first blister do not bring about a cure.
Firing.
—The hot iron is a very useful agent in treating many cases of chronic lameness and bone diseases. In performing such an operation have the iron at a full red and white heat and touch the part gently with just sufficient pressure to make a distinct impression. But one leg should be fired at a time.
It is desirable to shave the hair closely to the skin before applying the iron. The day following the firing spread over the wound any common wound oil like neat’s-foot oil or vaseline. Daily applications are called for until the swelling subsides. Unless a period of rest is given after the operation, the best results will not be had. Many bone diseases return, or are never cured, because complete recovery never occurred in the first place. Work and exertion only aggravate the cases, often leaving them in a worse condition than before the firing.