436 DISEASES OF DIGESTION. 



" cast " and put under the influence of chloroform. If the cause 

 of tlie obstruction can be felt from the outside, and if it resists 

 all other efforts for its dislodgement, it should be cut down upon 

 and removed. The chief points to be observed in performing this 

 operation, which is one that requires knowledge and skill to do 

 properly, are as follows: — (1) Carefully note, so as to avoid injur- 

 ing them, the respective positions of the jugular vein and carotid 

 artery. That of the former may be found by pressure with the 

 finger (p. 118); that of the latter, by its pulsation. (2) Make 

 the incision on the left side of the neck and a little below the 

 obstruction, along the course of the gullet and below the jugular 

 vein, so as to obtain effective drainage. (3) Make the wound no 

 larger than is required for the object in view ; refrain from pulling 

 the gullet about ; and having made the incision through the skin 

 and superficial muscles, expose the part of the gullet we wish to 

 cut down upon, by carefully tearing away the loose tissue with the 

 fingers, so as to avoid bleeding. (4) Close the wound in the gullet 

 with sutures (catgut for preference, p. 73), after bringing the 

 divided muscular edges together, as well as the mucous ones; for 

 union will not take place between mucous surfaces. (5) Treat the 

 wound antiseptically (p. 70). (6) Keep the animal without food 

 as long as practicable, until the wound has healed, which it will 

 probably do in about ten days. Wounds in the gullet should be 

 avoided if possible ; for they do not as a rule heal well. After 

 relieving a case of choking, the animal should be given only sloppy 

 food, so as to allow the irritated mucous membrane of the gullet 

 to regain its healthy condition. 



Food and drink in the form of brown (Demerara) sugar and 

 water can be advantageously given by the rectum (p. 632). When 

 food has to be given by the mouth, it should be in a sloppy con- 

 dition, so as to irritate as little as possible the mucous membrane 

 of the mouth. 



Prolapse of the Rectum. 



In mild cases, this accident consists of the protrusion from the 

 anus of mucous membrane, which, on becoming inflamed and in- 

 filtrated, may present a rounded mass of about a foot broad, with 

 a depression in its centre. In some cases, the bowel itself comes 

 down. 



It may come on from straining due to colic, constipation, foal- 

 ing, or sexual excitement, or from paralysis. 



TREATMENT. — Remove any impacted dung, and endeavour, by 

 steady pressure, to replace the part after having anointed it freely 



