376 THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 



region of the abscess, the wheezing immediately becomes 

 louder and better marked in every way. On causing the 

 animal to run, he goes a few steps, stops, and begins cough- 

 ing. An examination should now be made of the interior 

 of the throat. Use the mouth speculum to keep the mouth 

 open, and make a thorough examination, when fluctuation 

 may be found in some part of the throat. 



Treatment. — Having found the abscess, it should be opened 

 by means of a guarded lancet or knife ; as soon as it is 

 opened, the hand should be quickly withdrawn, and the 

 pus allowed to escape. If possible, the animal should be 

 allowed to retain the standing posture, as in this way all 

 danger of the pus escaping down the trachea, and causing 

 death of the animal, will be obviated. 



CHOKING. 



Choking, whilst occurring in all animals, is of most 

 frequent occurrence among cattle. It consists of the arrest 

 of the substance swallowed while on its way to the 

 stomach, causing in consequence a clogging up of the oeso- 

 phageal passage, and preventing the passage of food and 

 liquids into the stomach. 



Causes. — A very greedy animal in an endeavour to get 

 more than his share of food neglects to properly masticate 

 it, and makes an endeavour to swallow large quantities at a 

 time, as a result of which the oesophagus becomes crammed 

 with the food, the j)eristaltic motion is not sufficient to 

 force it down into the stomach, and, after awhile, peristalsis 

 ceases. Choking caused by improperly masticated food is 

 very troublesome. Pieces of potato, apple, etc., also are 

 frequent causes of choking in cattle. Choking can be pre- 

 vented to a very great extent by causing the animal to take 

 his food from the ground, so that the head will be kept 



