DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 115 



improvised. A stiff new rope, about three fourths of an 

 inch in diameter will usually answer the purpose. Open 

 the mouth and give the tongue to an assistant to hold, 

 while the operator pushes the rope back over the tongue 

 and through the pharynx to the gullet Push it along 

 until it reaches the obstruction; then turn it around by 

 a rotary motion, good pressure being exerted at the 

 same time. In this way the obstruction will usually be 

 passed along the, gullet and into the stomach. With- 

 draw the rope. There is no danger in this operation. 

 Immediately after the obstruction is removed, the mus- 

 cular spasms will cease, the animal will appear to be 

 easy, and the pain have disappeared. The horse should 

 now be fed on soft, sloppy food for about 24 hours to 

 prevent a recurrence of the trouble. 



STOMACH STAGGERS, SLEEPY STAGGERS, OR 

 GORGED STOMACH. 



Causes. Over feeding is the main cause often the 

 result of a horse being loose at night, gaining access to 

 the grain bin, and gorging itself with food. 



Symptoms. As a result of decomposition or chemi- 

 cal change of the food in cases of this disease, there 

 seems to be formed a product which has a very strong 

 toxic effect on the nervous system. The animal will 

 probably be found standing in the stall with the head 

 drooping or perhaps with the forehead pushed up close 

 to the wall in front of the stall. When asked to move 

 in the usual way, it takes no notice of the request. If 

 made to move over in the stall by pushing, it will prob- 

 ably stagger, and almost fall down. If you take it by 

 the halter and push it back a step or two, it is likely to 



