260 THE STOCK owner's ADVISER. 



lating. If the obstruction is liigli up in the throat, effort must 

 be made to remove it through the mouth. To assist in reaching 

 the object, an assistant should push it upwards. If these methods 

 fail, the object may be removed by drenching with oil and water. 

 In choking with dry food, the oil must always be used, as the 

 probang cannot be used in this case. In addition to the oil, the 

 mass is to be broken up by rubbing the neck and by pushing it 

 upwards and downwards by gentle manipulation. Frequent 

 drenches of water, filling up the oesophagus, will assist in re- 

 moving the mass. AVhen these means fail to unchoke the animal, 

 the probang should be used. This can only be done by a sur- 

 geon. All veterinary surgeons have probangs for the horse and 

 cow. I have frequently been called to an animal and found that 

 an effort had been made to unchoke the animal with a whip stalk. 

 In every case where it was used, the oesophagus was ruptured, 

 causing the animaFs death. In case the prol)ang proves of no 

 avail, the operation of oesophagotomy must be performed. It 

 consists of cutting down upon the object and removing it. After 

 its removal the edges of the oesophagus should be brought to- 

 gether and held by sutures of carbolized cat gut. The external 

 opening may be secured by silk sutures. The after treatment 

 consists in keeping the animal quiet and feeding on liquid foods. 

 Allow no solid food until the wound is entirely healed. This 

 operation should not be performed except as a last resort. 



DILATATION OF THE OESOPHAGUS. 



As a result of choking, the oesoidiagus may become abnormally 

 dilated, or a pouch may be formed in which food accumulates. 

 If in the thoracic region the animal will be a slow feeder, and 

 subject to repeated attacks of choking. If in the cervical portion 

 of the oesophagus a bulging may be seen and felt. 



Treatment. — Very little can be done. The aninuil should be 

 fed on sloppy foods, and when the fit of coughing comes on oil 

 should be given. If in the cervical region, considerable advantage 

 results from the use of a pad placed over the part. 



