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CHOKING. 535 



low the demulcent liquid, the mass within the oesophagus is to be 

 broken up by gently rubbing the neck, and by pushing it upwards 

 and downwards by gentle manipulation. The practice of having 

 -the throat rubbed by a strong broomstick, worked upwards and 

 downwards by two powerful fellows with might and main, as if 

 a horse were made of iron, and not of flesh and blood, cannot be 

 too liighly censured. The manipulation must be directly over 

 the impaction, and ought to be performed by the veterinary 

 surgeon's own hands. 



In one case of choking with locust beans, bran, and chaff, in 

 which the symptoms of distress were very severe, and called for im- 

 mediate relief, the following method proved eminently successful : 

 — Water was administered until the oesophagus became quite full 

 above the seat of the impaction. This induced a violent fit of 

 coughing ; the whole of the fluid was thus forcibly ejected, along 

 with some of the impacted mass. The process was repeated after 

 short intervals of rest. Each fit of coughing brought up more 

 and more of the solid materials with the water until the whole 

 mass was thus got rid of. It may be mentioned that the horse 

 became very restive, and fought against the water being intro- 

 duced through his mouth. I was consequently forced to give it 

 by the nostrils. 



I recommend this method where the symptoms demand 

 immediate relief as being safe and effectual. The water ought 

 to be given by the mouth if possible, but if this be impossible, 

 through the nostrils, as there is no danger if carefully per- 

 formed. 



AVlien the offending body is a turnip, carrot, egg, potato, a 

 ball, or other object that may be removed with safety by pres- 

 sure from within the gullet, and wlien removal by manipulation 

 and by swallowing liquids has failed, the probang must be 

 brought into operation. 



Probangs are of various sizes, and may be purchased from the 

 instrument makers. I therefore need not describe them further 

 than to say that horses require a smaller one than horned cattle, 

 and that a stillet with a screw at the end may be occasionally 

 required. The introduction of the probang into the oesophagus 

 of the horse is very difficult, and it is generally necessary to 

 " cast" the animal. In the cow this difliculty is not experienced ; 

 a gag in the mouth, and two or three strong fellows to hold the 



