In well-broken cats fond of their owner the administration of medicine is sometimes an easy matter; but again in equally well-broken and affectionate animals it is an excessively difficult matter.

In pill or powder form the substance used can sometimes be inclosed in a small piece of meat or other food, which the animal will readily swallow. Again, however, the cat becomes excessively suspicious of the faintest odor of medicine, and after taking it once or twice will refuse it. Liquid medicine - which should never exceed a teaspoonful dose if it can be helped - must be poured into the mouth. At the outset it can be tried if the cat will take its medicine without contention. Place the cat on a table, pat it gently until, with one hand, the head can be grasped from behind so that the thumb covers the jaw on one side, the second finger the jaw on the other side, and the first finger lies on top of the head between the ears. The third finger of the hand covers the jaw underneath. The head should then be gently raised, the thumb and second finger draw the commissures of the lips gently backward until they make a pocket on one or the other side, into which the liquid can be poured. It is not necessary to open the jaw itself, as the liquid will run through the teeth.

In many cases, however, more stringent measures are required, and the cat must be held so that it cannot bite or scratch. The simplest method, which is all that is required in some cases, and for the operation of castration, is to have an attendant take the cat by the loose skin of the neck and over the shoulders with one hand, and by the skin from the pelvis or croup with the other hand. Then place it upon a table and press down until the breast-bone in front and the under surface of the pelvis behind are held firmly against the table. It is then impossible for the cat to use either its fore or hind legs to scratch, or for it to twist its head to bite, and the second person can examine the month and administer medicine or operate. Absolute care must be taken, however, that no pressure is put upon the ribs, or the chest itself, or upon the belly of the animal, as carelessness in this point may stop the respiration and prove fatal. If more complete contention is required - as it is for operations which last for any length of time, or for any very obstreperous animals - the cat should be wrapped in a sack of cloth or soft leather, or of india-rubber. Where a large number of cats are handled, it is well to have a sheet of leather such as a blacksmith uses for his apron, with a whole in the centre just large enough to admit the head of the cat.

This is drawn over the head, and the corners of the leather are carefully folded along the line of the body into an oblong sack, which must be firmly held. Care must be taken to draw the forelegs backward along the side of the body, and hold them so, firmly, as the neck of the cat is smaller than its head, and after being drawn over the head the hole in the leather will admit of the protrusion of the cat's forelegs, and the animals are great adepts at getting the forelegs out unless especial care is taken.

Anesthetics

Anesthetics, especially in the shape of chloroform and of ether, are frequently advised for operations on cats. Unless absolute immobility of the animal is required for the success of the operation, I do not like the use of anesthetics. To begin with, even carefully given, they are dangerous. I have found that animals to which I have given an anesthetic are more afraid of me afterward than those which I have simply had held properly and produced pain upon. The pain they understand as done for their good; the use of the anesthetics they do not understand. For many operations, however, it is perfectly permissible to use a preliminary injection of cocaine, which annuls the pain in a local part.