Choking 257 



two, and swallowing the lower part. When this instru- 

 ment cannot be obtained, an excellent substitute is a 

 piece of three -fourths or one -inch rubber hose, five or 

 six feet long. The hose can be stiffened by drawing 

 a piece of rope through it, and cutting it off even 

 with the end. If hose is not to be had, a smooth buggy 

 whip can be used, passing it down butt end first. 



If the obstacle cannot be gotten either up or down, 

 and if it is where it can be reached from the outside, 

 the only way left to remove it is by the assistance of 

 a good surgeon. The animal should be confined, and 

 an incision made through the skin and muscles. This 

 incision is pushed to one side, and an incision made 

 through the esophagus, or gullet. This is done so 

 that the two incisions will not come opposite when 

 they are closed. After the incisions are made, and 

 the obstacle removed, the parts are washed clean and 

 the esophagus closed by sewing with catgut, the 

 stitches being taken close together. Afterward, antisep- 

 tics are used on the wound, and the outside wound is 

 closed by sewing the skin and muscles with silk. It is 

 now treated as a simple wound. No solid food should 

 be given till the wound heals, as a bad running sore, or 

 fistula, is likely to be formed. Sweet milk with raw 

 eggs beaten in it is excellent; gruels and mashes maj' 

 be giv^n when the parts have united. 



Horses that are subject to choking on dry food 

 should not be allowed to eat rapidly. This can be pre- 

 vented by arranging the feed -box so that he can get but 

 a small amount at a mouthful. Smooth round stones 

 may be placed in the feed -box. Iron feed -boxes are 



