OBSTRUCTION OF ESOPHAGUS 547 



Course. — As has already been stated, in many cases the! animal, 

 by repeated efforts at swallowing, gagging, and vomiting, may 

 dislodge the obstruction and relieve itself. In these cases the 

 intruding substance may be forced on into the stomach or it may 

 be regurgitated into the mouth. In either case relief immediately 

 occurs. 



In the more severe cases the body can only be removed by 

 outside interference. In these cases, unless the animal gets help 

 in a few hours general effects of the condition will be seen. The 

 foreign agent may by pressure close off the trachea' or. wind-pipe, 

 and in this manner produce death. If left for several days, the 

 animal will show loss of flesh and a general run-down condition: 

 In other cases a pneumonia develops from the passage i of food 

 down into the lungs. Loss of sleep and continued restlessness 

 increases the effects upon the animal. In case of complete closure 

 of the tube the animal will die in a few days from want of water 

 and food. 



Many cases that go untreated result in a slough and gangrene 

 of the gullet, and the infection then spreads to the surrounding 

 tissues of the neck and the animal soon dies from a general infection . 



Diagnosis of choke should not be difficult. There is no other 

 common condition in the hog that shows the same train of 

 symptoms. History of sudden onset, the characteristic position 

 of the animal, with head down, mouth open, and saliva running 

 from the mouth, is very suggestive. This, in connection with the 

 repeated efforts at swallowing, gagging, and attempts to vomit, 

 make the picture quite clear. In those cases where the obstruction 

 is located in the upper part of the neck the diagnosis can be made 

 absolutely certain by examination and feeling of the obstructing 

 body. i 



Treatment. — The method of treatment of choke will differ 

 somewhat, depending on whether the obstruction is in the upper 

 or lower part of the gullet. 



If the obstruction is located in the upper portion of the gullet 

 it may often be removed by placing a mouth-gag in the mouth, 

 and, by pressure below the point of obstruction, prevent the forc- 

 ing down of the foreign body. It may now be reached by a hand 

 inserted in the mouth and passed back through the pharynx, or 



