"In the treatment of dogs or other domestic animals one great obstacle to successful medication is the difficulty often encountered in the administration of remedies.

Dogs frequently refuse to swallow liquids or offer such strenuous objections that a portion of the medicine is spilled and the quantity administered becomes merely speculative. Hence it is not advisable to use liquid medicines at all for dogs if it can be avoided.

Hypodermic injections of alkaloidal solutions are the most prompt, efficient and reliable method of administration we have, but as it pre-supposes the possession of a hypodermic syringe the plan is not feasible in the majority of instances.

Other methods are to have the remedies incorporated in tablet or granule form or given in gelatin capsules. For ordinary purposes this is the most convenient method. The tablet or capsule can be placed toward the back of the tongue and readily forced back with the finger far enough so that to swallow is the only thing the patient can do.

Always treat him kindly and give an approbative pat on the head and when the time for the next dose arrives he will be ready for it.

At times liquid medicines are necessary, especially saline laxatives, and as they are decidedly of unpleasant taste and the dose necessarily large it is frequently quite a difficult matter to convince the patient that it is "not bad to take." Rochelle salts is the least nauseating of the saline laxatives and when given largely diluted with water its action is increased and the taste not so disagreeable.

In giving liquids place the patient in a corner, but do not handle roughly. Have the medicine in a bottle or hard rubber syringe. Take hold of the fold at the angle of the mouth and pull out to form a pouch, then pour in a small quantity at a time, repeating as it is swallowed.

A dose of castor oil is sometimes required, especially to supplement the action of a vermicide. If this is given in about four parts of milk the taste will be largely disguised and the administration more pleasantly effected.

In applying lotions to the eye the lids can be separated by the thumb and finger and the solution dropped in from a medicine dropper.

When the nasal passages are occluded by adherent discharges, applications of warm water and steaming will be of benefit. For the latter, the patient can be held with the nose over a vessel containing hot water (medicated if the case demands) and enclosing head and vessel with a towel. Care must be taken though to allow sufficient air.

In applying remedies to the ear the most useful implement is a blunt, hard rubber syringe. If, however, it is necessary to apply dry powder a "blower" will be found of great service.

In treating wounds the watchword should be antisepsis, but in the use of such preparations one must always bear in mind the danger that may result from the patient licking the dressing. Of antiseptics iodoform should never be used for the dog except in minute quantities, owing to liability of absorption and poisoning. In applying remedies other than per orem it sometimes becomes necessary to restrain the patient from biting his would-be benefactor. This can be accomplished by tying a long piece of tape tightly around the paws, having the knot on the under side. Then carry the ends back of the ears and tie again.

In the application of unguents to the skin of long-haired dogs time is really sometimes saved by clipping. The skin can be more thoroughly cleansed and dried and the remedy more evenly applied and consequently better results obtained.

In the writer's experience, no appreciable difference could ever be observed in the texture or color of the hair when it had grown out again. The clipping, however, should not be resorted to except in obstinate cases and during favorable weather.

Rectal injections are frequently indicated, especially in house dogs where from lack of exercise and irregular habits the faeces becomes impacted. In cases of collapse, extreme weakness and refusal of food it sometimes becomes necessary to introduce predigested foods and medicines per rectum. The ordinary bulb syringe or those of the hard rubber variety can be used for this purpose, but the nozzle must not be pointed enough to injure the mucus membrane as abrasions of the latter might prove troublesome.

In connection with the administration of medicine, it will be well to remember that all drugs act more powerfully on an empty stomach than when it holds food, either liquid or solid. Therefore, powerful remedies and those which are of irritating character, such, as arsenic, iron, nux vomica and cod-liver oil, should be given after feeding, so that they will mingle with the food and be absorbed slowly. Oil can be administered easily if floated on milk. Whisky, alcohol and all fluids of strong taste should be freely diluted with water before administering, at least four parts of water to one of whisky.