CHAPTER XXX. 



DISEASES OF THE PHARYNX, (ESOPHAGUS, ETC. 



POST-PHARYNGEAL ABSCESS — PUS IN THE GUTTURAL POUCHES 



PHARYNGEAL POLYPI — CHOKING, CLINICAL RECORDS OF 



(ESOPHAGOTOMY — DILATION AND STRICTURE OF THE (ESOPHAGUS 

 WIND-SUCKING AND CRIB-BITING. 



POST-PHARYNGEAL ABSCESS 



Is a collection of pus situated in the cartilaginous division of the 

 guttural pouches. Being placed between the two cavities, it 

 bulges into both, presses upon the pharynx, and interferes with 

 the act of deglutition, and as it increases in bulk, fills up the 

 posterior nares, draws up the vellum pendulum palati, and causes 

 the animal to breathe tlu-ough the mouth. 



It may be associated with strangles, or it may appear inde- 

 pendently of that disease ; its first symptoms being discharge 

 from the nose, sore throat, difficulty in swallowing, the food and 

 water being returned through the mouth. 



The pus being confined in the tough cartilaginous structure of 

 the guttural pouches, prevents the abscess from bursting spon- 

 taneously ; it therefore becomes a necessity to open it by opera- 

 tion, and for this and all operations witliin the mouth, the best 

 instrument is a long straight bistoury, enveloped in tow or lint 

 to within about half-an-inch of its point. This precaution having 

 been taken, the horse's mouth is to be kept open by a wide balHng- 

 iron ; one hand of the operator is then to be introduced into the 

 fauces, and by firm pressure he is to find out if there be fluctua- 

 tion ; on this being ascertained, the bistoury is pushed along the 

 hollow of the hand, and plunged into the fluctuating swelling, 

 cutting neither to the right nor left, for fear of injuring the 

 carotids, but keeping the incision in the centre of the swelling, a 



