CHOKING-. 309 



If the operation be properly performed, it is far less cruel to 

 the horse than to be regularly scarifying the mouth. 



"When the operation is performed the animal should be 

 blindfolded ; the jaws should be forced well asunder by fixing 

 in the mouth a gag, consisting of a round piece of wood, 3^ 

 inches diameter and 8 inches long, and held between the jaws 

 by being securely fixed to the head-piece of an old bridle. The 

 iron should have a fine, sharp, cutting edge; it should be applied 

 at a high temperature, and its surface should be free from 

 scales ; the iron should only he applied to that j^art of tlie palate 

 which is sivollen. 



I do not recommend this operation in every case, but people 

 will do it ; and so long as they will do it, let it be done as expe- 

 ditiously and as humanely as possible. 



CHOKIKa. 

 Choking is not a disease ; it is an accident which is very 

 liable to occur to greedy horses at the time of feeding. 

 Choking, although not a disease, yet, if long continued, may 

 cause inflammation of the oesophagus, or stricture within a 

 portion of the canal ; or it may cause rupture of the walls of 

 the organ, and other consequences to the animal of a nature 

 not readily obviated. 



Symptoms. — The symptoms of Choking are of a nature 

 which readily determine the character of the accident. It 

 occurs at the moment of feeding. The animal suddenly ceases 

 to masticate ; he will stamp his fore-feet A^iolently, and retreat 

 backwards in the stall. The nose will be projected forwards ; 

 the neck forced downwards, or bent forwards; the back is 

 arched ; the muscles of the abdomen are forcibly compressed, 

 and the horse attempts to vomit, — and the action is usually 



