INGESTED FOREIGN BODIES 37 



When a foreign body damages the lung tissue or 

 becomes lodged therein, the symptoms are either those 

 of pulmonary gangrene or of pulmonary tuberculosis; 

 the former when the object is en route through the 

 lung tissue, the latter when it has lodged there per- 

 manently. 



An exact diagnosis can hardly ever be made with 

 assurance. The diagnosis can be made with reason- 

 able certainty when either the liver or the heart is 

 involved. 



The treatment of conditions produced by foreign 

 bodies which have been swallowed and then go through 

 a period of wandering about in the body cavities can 

 only be symptomatic and expectant. If the veteri- 

 narian can be reasonably certain that the object is in 

 a portion of the peritoneal cavity where it can be 

 reached and safely removed through laparotomy, he 

 would be justified in undertaking the operation. 



In all other locations the symptoms can only be 

 treated as they arise. 



