INJURIES IN THE REGION OF THE MOUTH. 259 



PHARYNGEAL POLYPI. 



Tumors with long pedicles are sometimes seen in the pharynx. 



Symptoms. — The presence of polypi in the pharynx produce 

 symptoms of choking, difficult breathing, efforts to cough and 

 flow of saliva from the mouth. 



They are to be removed with the ecraseur in the hands of a 

 veterinary surgeon. 



CHOKING. 



Choking is caused by the lodgment of food. The horse when 

 choked makes every effort to swallow. In his effort to do so the 

 throat and neck becomes spasmodically drawn up, and probably 

 he gives a loud shriek when the spasms take place. The ears are 

 thrown back upon the neck at each attempt to swallow. If an 

 attempt is made to swallow water the fluid returns through the 

 nostrils. There is a great anxiety of countenance, sunken head, 

 tremors, partial sweats over the body, and great exhaustion. 



In the cow the obstruction is generally a piece of turnip, 

 potato, apple, or leather. The cow is very fond of chewing old 

 shoes. The symptoms of choking in the cow are tympanites of 

 the rumen, involuntary action of the jaws, flow of saliva from the 

 mouth, and a violent cough, causing forcible expulsion of the 

 faeces and urine. Tympanites is also seen in the horse. In the 

 dog violent retching and cough, with staring, prominent eyes, are 

 the most prevailing symptoms. When the obstruction is in the 

 cervical region, it can be detected. If it is lodged high up in 

 the cervical region or neck, symptoms of suffocation will be 

 present. 



TREATiiEXT. — Endeavor to find out the cause of choking, as 

 the treatment depends to a considerable extent upon the nature 

 of the obstruction. An effort should be made to dislodge the 

 obstruction by manipulation. The head of the animal should be 

 held by an assistant while the operator gently manipulates and 

 endeavors to break up the mass. If it be an apple an effort should 

 be made to force its passage to the stomach by gently manipu- 



