118 THE HOG. 



THE PHARYNX. 



The pharynx, to which we just now alluded, is a membranous, 

 muscular, funnel-shaped bag, extending from the root of the tongue 

 to the larynx and oesophagus, wide in front and becoming gradually 

 narrower until it terminates in the oesophagus. Its office is to convey 

 the food from the mouth to the upper part of the gullet, and this it 

 performs by means of its lining muscles. Properly speaking, we 

 ought perhaps to have noticed it when speaking of the digestive 

 system, but as we are proceeding from the head to the neck we have 

 included it in this division of our subject. 



THE OS HYOIDES. 



This is a body which embraces the thyroid cartilage of the larynx, 

 and gives support and protection to it, and also affords attachments 

 to the hyo-glossus longus muscle, or that which draws the tongue into 

 the mouth ; the brevis, which fulfils a similar office ; the hyo-pharyn- 

 geus, which dilates the pharynx ; the anterior constrictor pharyngeus, 

 which contracts the pharynx, and several others. 



This bone in the human being is supposed to resemble the Greek 

 letter upsilon ; in the horse it may be compared to a spur, but in 

 the swine it is different. This animal requires a freer use of the 

 tongue. The shorter cornua are stronger than in the horse, or even 

 the ox and dog; the central one is less developed, and the longer 

 cornua is thin and insignificant. There is also considerably less liga- 

 ment interposed between this bone and the thyroid cartilage, which 

 it almost closely embraces. We will now proceed to a considera- 

 tion of the diseases of the throat and neck. 



STRANGLES OR QUINSY. 



These diseases are of very frequent occurrence, and as they are 

 rapid in their progress, generally exceedingly fatal. They chiefly 

 attack fattening hogs. 



The glands under the throat begin to swell, and thus affect not 

 only the respiratory organs but the act of swallowing* impeded 

 respiration, hoarseness, and debility then supervene ; the pulse 

 becomes quick and unequal, the head to a certain extent palsied, the 

 neck "swells, tumefies, and rapidly goes on to gangrene ; the tongue 

 hangs from the mouth, and is covered with slaver, and the animal 

 gradually sinks. In the commencement of the disease very simple 

 treatment, as cooling medicines, attention to diet, and care and 

 warmth, will often suffice to check it ; but when the swelling, impeded 

 respiration, and difficulty of swallowing has come on, recourse must 

 be had to more energetic treatment. Bleeding and purgatives are 



