64 DISEASES OF THE HOKSE. 



mouth to protect the hand and arm of the operator. Then, while an 

 assistant, with his hands gi^asped tightly hehind the object,. presses 

 it upward and forward with all his force, the operator must pass his 

 hand into the mouth until he can seize the obstruction and draw it 

 outward. This mode of procedure must not be abandoned with the 

 first failure, as by continued efforts we may get the obstacle farther 

 toward the mouth. If we fail with the hand, forceps may be intro- 

 duced through the mouth and the object seized when it is just beyond 

 the reach of the fingers. Should our efforts entirely fail, we must 

 then endeavor to force the obstruction downward by means of the 

 probang. This instrument, which is of such signal service in remov- 

 ing choke in cattle, is decidedly more dangerous to use for the horse, 

 and I can not pass this point without a word of caution to those who 

 have been known to introduce into the horse's throat such objects as 

 whipstalks, shovel handles, etc. These are always dangerous, and 

 more than one horse has been killed by such barbarous treatment. 



In cervical as well as in thoracic choke we must first of all endeavor 

 to soften or lubricate the obstruction by pouring oil or mucilaginous 

 drinks down the gullet. After this has been done endeavor to move 

 the object by gentle manipulations with the hands. If choked with 

 oats or chaff (and these are the objects that most frequently pro- 

 duce choke in the horse), begin by gently squeezing the lower por- 

 tion of the impacted mass and endeavor to work it loose a little at a 

 time. This is greatly favored at times if we apply hot fomentations 

 immediately about the obstruction. Persist in these efforts for at 

 least an hour before deciding to resort to other and more dangerous 

 modes of treatment. If unsuccessful, however, the probang may 

 be used. In the absence of the regular instrument, a pieee of inch 

 hose 6 feet long or a piece of new three-quarter-inch manila rope 

 well wrapped at the end with cotton twine and thoroughly gi-eased 

 with tallow should be used. The mouth is to be kept open by a gag 

 of wood or iron and the head slightly raised and extended. The pro- 

 bang is then to be carefully guided by the hand into the upper part of 

 the gullet and gently forced downward until the obstruction is 

 reached. Pressure must then be gradual and firm. At first too 

 much force should not be used, or the esophagus will be ruptured. 

 Firm, gentle pressure should be kept up until the object is felt to 

 move, after which it should be followed rapidly to the stomach. 

 If this mode of treatment is unsuccessful, a veterinarian or a physi- 

 cian should be called, who can remove the object by cutting down 

 upon it. This should scarcely be attempted by a novice, as a knowl- 

 edge of the anatomy of the parts is essential to avoid cutting the 

 large artery, vein, and nerve that are closely related to the esophagus 

 in its cervical portion. 



