29 



always dangerous, and I have seen more than one horse die from this 

 barbarous treatment. 



Cervical choice. — lu this, as well as in thoracic choke, we must first of 

 all endeavor to soften or lubricate the obstruction by pouring' oil or 

 mucilaginous drinks down the gullet. After this has been done we are 

 to endeavor to move the object by gentle manipulations with the hands. 

 If choked with oats or chaflt' (and these are the objects that most fre- 

 quently produce choke in the horse), we should begin by gently squeez- 

 ing the lower portion of the impacted mass, and endeavoring to work it 

 loose a little at a time. This is greatly favored at times if we apply hot 

 fomentations immediately about the obstruction. We should persist in 

 these efforts for at least an hour before deciding to resort to other and 

 more dangerous modes of treatment. Should we fail, however, the pro- 

 bang may be used. In the absence of the regular instrument, which 

 must always be flexible and finished with a smooth cnp-shaped ex- 

 tremity, we may use a long piece of inch hose. The mouth is to be 

 kept open by a gag of wood or iron and the head slightly raised and 

 extended. The probang is then to be carefully guided by the hand into 

 the upper i^art of the gullet and gently forced downward until the ob- 

 struction is reached. Pressure must then be gradual and firm. Do not, 

 at first, attempt too much force, or the oesophagus will be ruptured. 

 Simply keep up this firui, gentle pressure until you feel the object mov- 

 ing, after which you are to rapidly follow it to the stomach. If, again, 

 this mode of treatment is unsuccessful, a veterinarian or medical doctor 

 is to be called in, who can remove the object by cutting down upon the 

 gullet, opening it, and removing the offending body. This should 

 scarcely be attempted by a novice, as a knowledge of the anatomy of the 

 parts is essential to avoid cutting the large artery, vein, and nerve that 

 are closely related to the oesophagus in its cervical portion. 



Thoracic choice can only be treated by means of the introduction of 

 oils and mucilaginous drinks and'the careful use of the probang. Some 

 practitioners speak very highly of the value of thick soap-suds, gener- 

 ously horned down the animal's throat. 



Stricture of the oesophagus is mostly due to corrosive medicines, pre- 

 vious choking (accompanied by lacerations, which, in healing, narrow 

 the passage), and pressure on the gullet by tumors. In the majority of 

 cases of stricture we soon have dilatation of the gullet in front of the 

 constricted portion. This dilatation is due to the frequent accumula- 

 tiou of .solid food above the constriction. Little can be done in either 

 of these instances except to feed on sloppy or liquid food. 



Sacular dilatation of the cesophagus.— This mostly follows choking, and 

 is due to rupture of the muscular coat of the gullet, allowing the inter- 

 nal or mucous coat to hernia or iiouch through the lacerated muscular 

 walls. This sac or pouch gradually enlarges, from the frequent impris- 

 onment of food, until it presses upon the gullet and prevents swallow- 

 ing. When liquids are taken the solid materials are partially washed 



