310 CHOKING. 



accompanied with a faint squealing noise, and the rising in the 

 hollow of the neck of a large roll-like substance. The effort 

 to vomit is generally terminated bj the animal ejecting a 

 quantity of thick mucus from the mouth, when the general 

 spasm of the body subsides, to be again repeated in the course 

 of five or ten minutes, and so on, for perhaps several hours in 

 succession. As the state of the animal is prolonged, the flow 

 of mucus from the mouth becomes more abundant. It is 

 seldom, however, that the pulse or the respirations are much 

 disturbed, or that bad consequences of a permanent character 

 result. In the generality of cases, the choking slowly sub- 

 sides, especially if the patient be aided judiciously. In certain 

 instances, however, relief cannot be obtained without forcing a 

 small probang down the throat of the animal ; or the opera- 

 tion of opening the oesophagus may even be necessary for the 

 purpose of removing the accumulation with the hand. 



Causes. — The causes of Choking are greedy feeding, or the 

 animal swallowing the food too rapidly ; also suddenly striking 

 the horse when in the act of feeding ; or from the food being 

 given in too dry a state. 



Treatment. — In treating cases of this kind those in attend- 

 ance should have patience, and for a time at least be content to 

 adopt measures of a simple character. A small quantity of 

 olive oil may be occasionally administered, or a small portion of 

 warm water, or a little thin gruel. The neck should also be 

 stroked downwards with the hand. 



If the Choking arises from the lodgment of a small potato 

 within the oesophagus, it will, in all probability, prove a more 

 difficult case than if arising from a portion of soft mash or loose 

 dry food. 



