530 DISEASES OF THE rilARYNX, (ESOPHAGUS, ETC. 



Mr. Gamgee lias described a very formidable operation, under 

 a more formidable name, viz., Hyo-vertebrotomy, for the pur- 

 pose of giving exit to pus in the guttural pouches. The 

 operation is quite unnecessary ; and I am surprised that any one 

 kno^^^:ng the anatomy of the parts so well as Mr. Gamgee, 

 should not have thought of operating underneath the parotid 

 gland. If both pouches are filled with pus, the operation is to 

 be performed on both sides. 



PHARYNGEAL POLYPI. 



Tumours, with long pedicles, are sometimes found in the fauces, 

 which by falHng into the pharynx or larynx constitute pharyn- 

 geal or laryngeal polypi. 



The symptoms which they produce are those of choking, diffi- 

 culty of breathing, incessant efforts to cough, and a flow of saliva 

 from the mouth. In some instances " intermittent roarmg " is 

 the only symptom of their presence. 



They are detected by examination of the fauces, and are to be 

 removed by the " ecraseur," torsion, and when they present a 

 broad base, they are to be destroyed, " sloughed out " by escha- 

 rotics. 



CHOKING. 



Choking in the horse is generally caused by the lodgment of 

 a quantity of dry food, such as corn, cut hay, or chaff, swallowed 

 rapidly by a greedy feeder ; by a piece of carrot or potato, or by 

 a ball of large size or hard consistence, especially if ^vl'apped in 

 thick coarse paper, becoming lodged in the pharynx or oesophagus. 



Eggs forced into the pharynx have often proved a source of 

 obstruction. 



" Horses with voracious appetites," says Mr. PercivaU, " are 

 very apt in their avidity to bolt their corn whole, and gulp it 

 down so rapidly, that the successive portions, instead of passing 

 into the stomach, accumulate within the gullet, and block up its 

 canal. Only a small collection, or else a large and extended one, 

 may in this manner ensue before the animal feels or expresses 

 uneasiness. All at once he leaves off feeding ; next, he makes 

 every effort in his power to complete his imperfect swallow, and 

 gulp down the cause of his distress. Should he not succeed, his 



