548 DISEASES OF SWINE 



it may be reached and removed by a long forceps. The class of 

 cases suitable for this method of removal will not be very many. 



In cases where the foreign body is located further down in the 

 gullet there are a number of procedures that may be made use 

 of. One favorite method is the administration of oil. The oil, 

 when poured into the gullet, has a tendency to work its way around 

 the mass, lubricating it, and contraction of the walls of the gullet 

 facilitates its passage down into the stomach. The administration 

 of the oil is well followed by the use of gentle massage over the 

 obstructing mass. 



Some men favor the administration of an emetic or, in other 

 words, something to produce vomiting. Apomorphin is the best 

 agent to use for this purpose. Apomorphin should be given by 

 means of a hypodermic needle, the dose being about i gr. By 

 administering the oil first, and then giving the apomorphin later, if 

 needed, the best results can be obtained, as the oil lubricates the 

 esophagus above the foreign body and makes it easier for it to 

 be forced upward. 



In the larger animals, as the horse and cow, choke is very 

 commonly treated by means of a probe or probang, as it is called. 

 This is a long curved instrument, which is forced down the gullet 

 with the idea of pushing the foreign body down into the stomach. 

 A probang can be improvised from a flexible v/hip handle wrapped 

 with muslin, or a piece of heavy rope greased with vaseUn or 

 tallow may be used. When using the metal probang great care 

 and gentleness are necessary to prevent doing harm to the esopha- 

 gus. It must be remembered that the organ is already swollen 

 and softened, and rough handling is almost sure to result in push- 

 ing or tearing a hole through the gullet. If this is done, death 

 is sure to follow. It is doubtful if the use of the probang should 

 ever be attempted by one who has not had experience with its use, 

 and it is better in these cases to call an experienced veterinarian. 



PARALYSIS OF PHARYNX AND ESOPHAGUS 



Paralysis of the pharynx or of the esophagus may sometimes 

 be seen in the hog as well as other domestic animals. The con- 

 dition is a result of injury to the nerves supplying the muscles 

 of these parts. The results are about the same in either case. 



