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Whatever object causes the choking, it may lodge in the upper 

 part of the oesophagus, at its middle portion, or close to the stomach, 

 giviiTg rise to the designations of pliaryngeal, cervicaJ, and ihoracic 

 choke. In some cases where the original obstruction is low we find 

 all that part of the gullet abov^ it to be distended with food. 



The symptoms will vary according to the position of the body caus- 

 ing choke. In 2'>^^<^^^'yngeal cliolxe the object is lodged in the upper 

 p)oriion of oesophagus. The horse will present symptoms of great 

 distress, hurried breathing, frequent cough, excessive flow of saliva, 

 sweating, trembling, or stamping with the fore feet. The abdomen 

 rapidly distends with gas. The diagnosis is completed by manipulat- 

 ing t*Iie upper part of the throat from without and by the introduction 

 of the hand into the back part of the mouth, finding the body lodged 

 here. In cervical choke (where the obstruction is situated at any 

 point between the throat-latch and the shoulder) the object can both 

 be seen and felt. The symptons here are not so severe; the horse 

 will be seen to occasionally draw himself up, arch his neck, and some- 

 times utter a loud shriek; the expression becomes anxious, and 

 attempts at vomiting are made. The abdomen is mostly full and 

 tynii^anitic. Should there be any question as to the trouble a decided 

 conclusion may mostly be reached by pouring water into the throat 

 from a bottle. If the obstruction is complete you can see the gullet 

 become distended with each bottle of water by standing on the left 

 side of the horse and watching the course of the oesophagus, just above 

 the windi:)ipe. This is not always a sure test, as the obstruction 

 may be an angular body, in which case liquids would pass it. Solids 

 taken would show in these cases; but solids should not, however, be 

 given, as they serve to increase the trouble by rendering the removal 

 of the body more difficult. In cervical choke one can always, with a 

 little care, feel the imprisoned object. 



In thoracic choke the symptoms are still less severe. Our attention 

 will be directed to this part of the oesophagus by food or water being 

 ejected through the nose or mouth after the animal has taken a few 

 swallows. There Avill be some symptoms of distress, fullness of the 

 abdomen, cough, and occasionally the crying or shrieking as heard 

 in cervical choke. The diagnosis is complete if, upon passing the 

 probang (a hollow, flexible tube made for this j^urpose), an obstruction 

 is encountered. 



Treaiment. — If the choke is at the beginning of the gullet {pharyn- 

 geal) we must endeavor to remove the obstacle through the mouth. 

 A mouth-gag or si)eculum is to be introduced into the mouth to pro- 

 tect the hand and arm of the operator. Then while an assistant, Avith 

 his hands grasped tightly 'behind the object, presses it upward and 

 forward with all his force, the operator must pass his hand into the 

 mouth until he can seize the obstruction and draw it outward. This 

 mode of procedure must not be abandoned Avith the first failure, as Ave 



