490 THE DISEASES AND DISORDERS OF THE OX. 



In the second variety of choking, where the body is impacted 

 in the neck, it may be seen and felt. In these cases the symp- 

 toms are not so urgent as in those described. In some of these 

 instances of cervical choking, moreover, the animal is able to 

 drink a little, and thus the fact of the lodgment of a foreign body, 

 sometimes not being suspected, is overlooked. 



In the third, or intra-thoracic, variety, the body is obstructed 

 in the gullet, as this passes from the neck into the rumen or 

 paunch. The signs of this variety are more obscure, for of 

 necessity one cannot see or feel the offending body. In some 

 instances the obstruction may continue for several hours, or even. 

 a day or two, without producing urgent symptoms. Tympanites 

 may then set in, and when this happens, the animal becomes 

 suddenly much distressed, the breathing very difficult, and even 

 death may ensue. In this kind of choking the animal may take 

 fluid, and this distends the gullet, and is then, as it were, vomited 

 through the mouth. There is no coughing in these cases, andi 

 there is little discharge from the mouth. Tympanites, indeed, 

 may be the only symptom to be observed. When we have reason. 

 to suspect choking in an animal, the hand should be passed 

 down the gullet, in order, if possible, to detect the foreign body,, 

 which, if found, should then be gently manipulated downwards, 

 so as to pass it along the gullet. 



It is best in these cases to give a small quantity of linseed oil 

 to lubricate the foreign body, and thus facilitate its manipulation.- 

 If the body be near the upper portion of the gullet, it may be 

 pressed upwards. If very near the mouth, it is not uncommonly 

 quite possible to reach it with the hand, and thus relieve the 

 animal without any more difficulty. If we are unable to mani- 

 pulate the foreign body, the probang must be introduced without 

 further delay. The probang is a hollow tube, sometimes made of 

 a spiral coil of wire covered over with leather, tipped with a broad, 

 cup-shaped metallic or wooden end. The length should be not 

 less than six or seven feet. For sheep the probang is not 

 more than three feet long. 



In order to pass the probang, the animal must be secured, and 

 a gag held or strapped in the animal's mouth. The probang is 

 well oiled, and passed backwards steadily. When the operator 

 feels the obstruction, by moderate and steady pressure he must 

 endeavour to force it downwards into the rumen. As soon as 



