People who are not in the habit of administering medicine to dogs often have a difficulty in giving it. Liquid is best given out of a bottle. The person about to give it should stand on the right hand side of the dog, place the left hand around the muzzle, then slightly raise the head, and place the neck of the bottle inside the cheek, and pour a small quantity of the fluid at a time into the pouch formed by the cheek. If the muzzle is held tightly with the left hand, there is no danger of the dog biting the bottle. If the reader is afraid to use a bottle, the fluid may be given with a spoon, but then a second person is required to hold the dog’s head, and with the finger pull out the side of the cheek so as to form a pouch in which the medicine should be poured. This is by far a better plan than forcing the dog’s mouth open, and pouring the fluid right on his tongue. [Illustration: How to give fluid medicine or liquid nourishment to a dog] To give a pill, stand on the right hand side of the dog’s head, with the left hand placed over the muzzle, forcing the dog’s mouth open by pressing the cheek between the teeth, then he cannot bite you. Slightly raise the head, and drop the pill into the back of the mouth, and then with the forefinger of the right hand just push it into the throat. Close the mouth quickly, and the dog will swallow it. [Illustration: Giving a pill] =Dropsy=: _Symptoms_: In dropsy, the result of heart or kidney disease, the limbs often become swollen, as well as the abdomen becoming enlarged and pendulous. The fluid may be detected for certain in the abdomen by placing a hand on one side of the stomach, and then gently tapping the other side of the abdomen, and if fluid is present, an undulating motion will be felt like striking a bladder full of water. In dropsy, no matter from what cause, the dog becomes thin about the neck and chest, and the muscles of the limbs waste. As the fluid increases, the size of the abdomen increases; the breathing becomes distressed, and the dog walks with difficulty. In many cases, when relief is not obtained, the dropsy extends to the chest, which of course increases the difficulty of breathing. Many cases of ascites are due to diseased liver, which may become much enlarged, but the condition of the liver may simply be due to defective circulation. _Treatment_: Unless the patient is very old, relief may generally be given with the following mixture, continued for some time:— _Recipe: The Mixture_: Acetate Potash, 3 drachms. Tr. Digitalis, 1 drachm. Tr. Nux Vomica, ½ drachm. Spirits of Nitre, 2 drachms. Water to 6 ounces.