270 Hounds 



up in either of these regions. The animal is unable 

 to swallow properly, but if the obstructing agent 

 is at the back of the mouth it makes repeated at- 

 tempts to dislodge the offending body. If located 

 in the gullet it will possibly be felt through the skin, 

 but of course there may be an obstruction in the 

 gullet, in that portion of it which passes through the 

 chest, which is inaccessible to external manipulation. 

 A gag should be placed in the mouth and an effort 

 made to dislodge the foreign body. It is a very 

 good plan to lubricate the passage with a Httle oil 

 before resorting to the use of the probang, though 

 the latter must be employed if other means fail. 



Stricture and Dilatation of the Gullet 



These abnormal conditions may exist indepen- 

 dently or be co-existent, the dilatation following upon 

 the stricture. Injury to the mucous membrane 

 lining the gullet, and subsequent contraction of 

 the scar tissue, is liable to lead to stricture, which 

 is a most serious condition as the food is cut off from 

 the stomach. Cases of this nature demand the 

 exercise of professional skill, so that if suspected no 

 delay should occur in obtaining such. In exceptional 

 instances obstruction of the gullet arises from the 

 pressure of some morbid growth adjacent to the 

 outer surface of the tube. 



