CHOKING. REMOVAL. 283 



but the cause is not removed either by this means or 

 by puncturing the paunch, which is often dangerous. 



In the early stage of the disease the gas may be neu- 

 tralized by ammonia, which is usually near at hand. 

 Two ounces of liquid ammonia, in a quart of distilled 

 or rain water, given every quarter of an hour, will 

 prove beneficial. A little tincture of ginger, essence 

 of anise-seed, or some other cordial, may be added, with- 

 out lessening the effect of the ammonia. 



If the case has assumed an alarming character, the 

 flexible tube, or probang, may be introduced, and after- 

 wards take three drachms either of the chloride of 

 lime or the chloride of soda, dissolve in a pint of 

 water, and pour it down the throat. Lime-water, pot- 

 ash, and sulphuric ether, are often used with effect. 



In desperate cases it may be found necessary to 

 make an incision through the paunch ; but the chloride 

 of lime will, in most cases, give relief at once, by 

 neutralizing the gas. 



Choking is often produced by feeding on roots, par- 

 ticularly round and uncut roots, like the potato. The 

 animal slavers at the mouth, tries to raise the obstruction 

 from the throat, often groans, and appears to be in 

 great pain. Then the belly begins to swell, from the 

 amount of gases in the paunch. 



The obstruction, if not too large, can sometimes be 

 thrust forward by introducing a flexible rod, or tube, 

 into the throat. This method, if adopted, should be 

 attended with great care and patience, or the tender 

 parts will be injured. If the obstruction is low down, 

 and a tube is to be inserted, a pint of olive or linseed 

 oil first turned down will so lubricate the parts as to 

 aid the operation, and the power applied must be steady. 

 If the gullet is torn by the carelessness of the operator, 

 or the roughness of the instrument, a rupture generally 



