48 BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 



always denotes great anxiety and the eyes are bloodshot. The diag- 

 nosis is complete if, upon jmssing the probang (a flexible tube made 

 for this purpose), an obstruction is encountered. 



Treatment . — If the choke is at the beginning of the gullet {pharyngeal) 

 an effort must be made to remove the obstacle through the mouth. A 

 mouth-gag, or speculum, is to be introduced into the mouth to protect 

 the hand and arm of the operator. Then, while an assistant, with his 

 hands grasped tightl}^ hehiad the object, presses it upward and forward 

 with all his force, the operator must pass his hand into the mouth until 

 he can seize the obstruction and draw it outward. This mode of pro- 

 cedure must not be abandoned with the first failure, as we may get the 

 obstacle farther toward the mouth b}' continued efforts. If we fail 

 wath the hand force])s may be introduced through the mouth and the 

 object seized when it is just beyond the reach of the fingers. Should 

 our efforts entirely fail we must then endeavor to force the obstruction 

 downward by means of the probang. This instrument, which is of such 

 signal service in removing choke in cattle, is decidedly more dangerous 

 to use for the horse; and I can not pass this point without a word of 

 caution to those who have been known to introduce into the horse's 

 throat such objects as whipstalks, shovel handles, etc. These are 

 always dangerous, and more than one horse has been killed by such 

 barbarous treatment. 



Cervical choke. — In this, as well as in thoracic choke, we must 

 first of all endeavor to soften or lubricate the obstruction by pouring 

 oil or mucilaginous drinks down the gullet. After this has been done 

 endeavor to move the object by gentle manipulations with the hands. 

 If choked with oats or chaff (and these are the objects that most fre- 

 quently produce choke in the horse), begin by gentlv squeezing the 

 lower portion of the impacted mass and endeavor to work it loose a 

 little at a time. This is greath^ favored at times if we apply hot 

 fomentations immediately about the obstruction. Persist in these 

 efforts for at least an hour before deciding to resort to other and more 

 dangerous modes of treatment. If unsuccessful, however, the pro- 

 bang may be used. In the absence of the regular instrument, use a 

 piece of inch hose 6 feet long, or a piece of new three-quarter-inch 

 manila rope well wrapped at the end with cotton twine and thoroughly 

 greased with tallow. The mouth is to be kept open by a gag of wood 

 or iron and the head slightly raised and extended. The probang is 

 then to be carefulh' guided by the hand into the upper part of the 

 gullet and gentl}- forced downward until the obstruction is reached. 

 Pressure must then be gradual and firm. Do not, at first, attempt too 

 much force, or the esophagus will be ruptured. Simply keep up this 

 firm, gentle pressure until 3'ou feel the object moving, after which 

 you are to follow it rapidl}^ to the stomach. If this mode of treatment 

 is unsuccessful, a veterinarian or physician is to be called in, who can 



