DISEASES OF CATTLE 81 



portion of the gullet. This latter form of the accident is most likely 

 to occur in animals which are greedy feeders. 



Symptoms. The symptoms will vary somewhat according to 

 the part of the gullet or throat in which the obstruction is located. 

 In most cases there is a discharge of saliva from the mouth ; the ani- 

 mal coughs frequently, and when it drinks the water is soon ejected. 

 The cow stops eating and stands back from the trough, the expres- 

 sion is troubled, breathing is accelerated, and oftentimes the animal 

 bloats as a result of the retention of gas in the paunch. These 

 symptoms, however, are not always present, for if the obstacle does 

 not completely close the throat, or gullet, gas and water may pass, 

 thus ameliorating the discomfort. If the obstruction is in the neck 

 portion of the gullet, it may be felt as a lump in the left jugular 

 gutter. 



Treatment. If the object is in the throat, it is advisable to put 

 a gag in the animal's mouth, and, while the head is held in a hori- 

 zontal direction by two assistants, to pass the hand into the pharynx, 

 grasp the foreign body, and withdraw it gradually and steadily. 

 When the substance is lodged in the upper part of the gullet, pres- 

 sure should be made by an assistant in an upward direction against 

 the object while the operator passes his hand into the pharynx, and 

 if the assistant can not by pressure dislodge the substance from 

 the gullet, the operator may by passing his middle finger above and 

 partly behind the- substance gradually slide the object into the 

 pharynx and then withdraw it by the mouth. The presence of an 

 obstructing substance in the cervical portion of the gullet may be 

 ascertained 'by passing the hand along the left side of the neck, 

 when a hard and painless swelling will be found to indicate the 

 presence of the foreign body. In such cases we must endeavor by 

 gentle and persevering pressure with the thumb and two next fin- 

 gers to slide the obstructing substance gradually upward to the 

 pharynx. To facilitate this it is well to give the animal a half pint 

 of raw linseed or olive oil before the manipulations described are 

 commenced. When the substance has been brought into or nearly 

 into the pharynx, then the mouth gag should be used, the tongue 

 drawn partially forward with the left hand, and the right should be 

 passed backward into the pharynx to withdraw the obstruction. 

 When bran or chaff causes the trouble it is best to give a small quan- 

 tity of oil to lubricate the walls of the gullet and then by gentle and 

 persevering pressure to endeavor to separate and divide the mass 

 and to work it downward toward the stomach. This will be assisted 

 by pouring small quantities of oil and water down the animal's 

 throat. It is not advisable to use the probang to push down any 

 soft material, such as oats or chaff, as this generally condenses and 

 renders firmer the obstructing substance by pressing its particles or 

 elements together, so that it forms a solid, resisting mass which can 

 not be moved. 



In some cases, either because located in the chest portion of 

 the esophagus, and so beyond reach, or because too firmly seated, the 

 foreign body can not be dislodged from the neck by pressing and 



