64 AFFECTIONS OF THE MOUTH AND TONGUE. 



(pHtift YNGITIS. 



The pharynx, a part of the canal through which the food passes, is placed 

 behind the mouth, nose, and larynx. 



Inflammation of the pharynx, or pharyngitis, is an affection very rarely 

 occurring alone, hut is usually associated with some other disease. When 

 it does appear as an individual affection it is commonly caused by the 

 lodgement of foreign bodies, such as sharp pieces of bone. When any 

 substance becomes fixed in the pharynx, about the larynx, or in the top of 

 the passage into the stomach, it may produce a sense of choking and fits 

 of suffocative coughing, or symptoms less severe. A peculiar throat cough 

 with frequent hawking is often the prominent manifestation at first. 



Later on in the affection, the mucous membrane may become swollen, 

 congested, and swallowing difficult, the throat being sensitive to external 

 pressure, and coughing excited by it as in laryngitis. 



Sometimes, but very rarely, abscesses will form in the back part of the 

 pharynx. Their presence may be suspected if pharyngitis has existed for 

 several days, and the animal carries his head extended, fixed and immova- 

 ble on his neck. 



Treatment. —Foreign bodies should be sought by exploring the throat 

 with the finger. If removed at once no further treatment is necessary. 



If repeated efforts fail to dislodge the substance, an emetic of ipecac or 

 sulphate of zinc, dose of either fifteen grains, should be given to induce 

 vomiting. The treatment of the pharyngeal inflammation should be the 

 same as recommended in acute laryngitis. 



