416 FOREIGN BODIES IN PHARYNX AND OESOPHAGUS OF HORSE. 



at one end and a push-handle at the other. The base of the cone- 

 shaped end is free and concave, and in order that it may pass without 

 difficulty through the terminal portion of the gullet it should not 

 exceed 2 inches in diameter. Tubular probangs for the treatment 

 of gastric affections in horses have been devised by Sendrail, of 

 Toulouse, and Phillips. Sendrail's probang, which has a spiral 

 metal basis, is very flexible and can be easily sterilised. Phillips 

 uses a long, stiff rubber tube resembling the stomach-tube for man. 



In the horse the probang may be passed through the mouth, 

 which is preferable or through the inferior nasal passage. When 

 possible, the horse should be cast on his right side, the head and 

 neck held fully extended, and a mouth-gag employed. The probang 

 smeared with lard is introduced through the gag (the tongue being 

 held), directed along the middle line of the roof of the mouth, against 

 the soft palate, into the pharynx and gullet, then onwards to the 

 obstruction, or, if necessary, into the stomach. Difficulty may be 

 experienced at three points : the pharynx, entrance to the chest, 

 and at the diaphragm. In passing through the pharynx the sound 

 may excite coughing, or it may enter the larynx, when immediate 

 reaction will be shown by the horse flexing the head and struggling. 

 In this event, the sound should be withdrawn into the mouth, and 

 after a brief interval passed again. In cervical choking, the probang 

 soon reaches the obstruction, which may pass on without much 

 effort ; but in thoracic choking, resistance will be encountered as 

 the probang enters the thoracic gullet, and when this curvature has 

 been passed and the sound is in contact with the obstruction, the 

 instrument must be carefully handled in order to avoid rupturing 

 the gullet. 



While it is possible in the horse standing to pass the sound through 

 either the mouth or nose, the animal's head and neck cannot be 

 maintained in full extension, and in consequence the probang is 

 bent at the throat ; and further risk arises in thoracic cases where 

 the sound in entering the chest may lacerate the gullet. Unfor- 

 tunately instrumental rupture of the oesophageal mucosa or muscle 

 may give no immediate sign, and the operator may have no suspicion 

 of the accident until later, when the horse shows distension of the 

 gullet or symptoms of hindrance to the passage of food. 



(b.) FOKEIGN BODIES IN THE (ESOPHAGUS OF CATTLE. 



From the nature of their food, and the narrowing of the gullet 

 from the pharynx to the lower part of the neck, choking is more 



