256 The Diseases of Animals 



hot fomentations to the throat, and after drying rub with 

 a stimulating liniment twice daily. When the throat 

 begins to get sore on the outside, withhold the treat- 

 ment for a few days. Two tablespoonfuls of the solu- 

 tion of tincture of iron, recommended for sore mouth 

 (page 246), is good for sore throat, and it may be given 

 three times daily. A tablespoonful of chlorate of potash 

 finely pulverized and made into a paste with molasses 

 and flour is excellent. A teaspoonful of the paste 

 should be daubed on the back teeth with a small paddle, 

 so that the horse will not swallow it all at once; this 

 can be given every six hours for a day or two. 



CHOKING 



Choking is a closing of the esophagus with some 

 foreign body or from spasm. It odours most frequently 

 in cows, but nearly all domestic animals are subject to it. 



The most frequent cause of choking is the attempt 

 to swallow some hard body without crushing it, such 

 as an apple, turnip or similar object. In dogs and 

 cats, bones are the most frequent cause of choking. 

 Horses and cattle are frequently choked by bolting dry 

 feed without first thoroughly wetting it with saliva. 

 Some animals are predisposed to choke; in such cases 

 there is probably a constriction or narrowing of the 

 esophagus at the point of obstruction. 



The animal first stops feeding and makes frequent 

 attempts at swallowing. Saliva drips from the mouth, 

 the neck is arched, and the muscles contracted. A 

 horse frequently emits a peculiar shriek. When the 



