OBSTRUCTION OF ESOPHAGUS 545 



Active treatment consists in giving plenty of cold water to 

 drink. To this may be added chlorate of potash or a Httle salt- 

 peter. Milk is also agreeable. Mucilaginous drinks, such as an 

 infusion of linseed, has a very soothing effect upon the inflamed 

 mucous membrane. Little or no other medical treatment is neces- 

 sary. In some few cases where the pain becomes quite severe small 

 doses of opium may be given. 



The diet should, of course, be of a light, soft, and semisolid 

 nature. Bran in the form of a mash with milk or other suitable 

 slop forms a good, nourishing diet, and is easily swallowed if the 

 inflammation be not too severe. 



In those cases where there is deep destruction of the tissue of 

 the gullet and scar-tissue forms, which contracts down and narrows 

 the caUber of the organ so as to cause permanent difficulty of swal- 

 lowing, the only course open is to advise early sale and slaughter of 

 the animal. No practical method of treatment can be advised, 

 and the longer the animal remains on the premises, the less he will 

 be worth. 



OBSTRUCTION OF ESOPHAGUS (CHOKE) 



Obstruction of the esophagus is simply what the name implies — 

 closing up of the esophagus by some foreign body. It is quite a 

 common condition in all the domestic animals, but is especially 

 frequent in cattle and swine. 



Causes. — The causes of obstruction of the esophagus in swine 

 are most frequently swallowing of some hard substance which is 

 of such size that it will not pass through the gullet or food-pipe. 

 Among the more frequent articles of this kind are pieces of potato, 

 apples, or leaves. 



The stoppage may be complete, in which case not even fluids 

 can pass by the obstruction; or it may be only partial, in which case 

 water or other liquids can pass by the foreign body, but solid sub- 

 stances are unable to pass. The complete obstruction is the more 

 frequently found. 



Symptoms. — The animal when seized with "choke" suddenly 

 stops eating, and begins to gag, or choke, as it is commonly called. 

 The pain causes considerable restlessness, and repeated efforts are 

 made to swallow. The animal usually stands with the head 



