THE HOBS^, ITS DISEASES. 475 



chest. In high choke, the animal may die in a few minutes ; in loir 

 choke, there is not such special need of haste. 



How to know it. — There is intense distress ; the head is raised ; ther* 

 is slavering, violent coughing and continual efforts to swallow. 



What to do. — Examine carefully the furrow on the left side of the 

 neck for the substance. If solid, endeavor to press it upwards with the 

 lingers on each side. If not, endeavor to extract it by putting a balling iron 

 into the mouth to hold it open ; pull out the tongue ; pass the hand into 

 the throat and endeavor to dislodge it with the finger, the head being held 

 out in a straight line with the neck. If this do not succeed, and the 

 obstruction is in the gullet and is clear of the windpipe, procure a probang, 

 oil it thoroughly, cast the horse, put the balling iron in the mouth, intro- 

 duce the probang and by steady pressure for a few seconds at a time, 

 endeavor to move it. If it moves continue the pressure until it is pushed 

 into the stomach. 



If the substance is so firmly held that the probang will not move it, the 

 mass must be cut down upon and taken out. Let an assistant press the off 

 side of the neck to get as much bulge as possible. Then with a bold cut 

 of a sharp knife, cut through skin, tissues and gullet, to the mass, with 

 an ample cut, and remove ; bring the edges of the gullet together, stitch 

 them with fine catgut, or strong silk, and then the v/oundinthe skui. The 

 difficulty here may cause subsequent stricture of the gullet, which may 

 thereafter prevent the animal swallowing solid food. In any event only 

 semi-liquid food should be given for ten days after choking, or untQ the 

 animal seems well. 



In desperate cases, where there is instant danger of death from choking, 

 tracheotomy must be employed. This is cutting into the windpipe and 

 inserting a breathing tube and will be treated in its appropriate place. 



The Low Choke. — This is where the obstruction is low in the gullet, 

 or in the thoracic portion of the aesopbagus. 



In this form there is great distress but the head is not held so high » 

 saliva runs from the mouth, and the discharge is copious from the nose ; 

 if the animal attempts to drink, the water is cast forth from the nose ; the 

 breathing is laborious, the flanks tucked up, the back roached, and th« 

 animal shows symptoms of general distress. 



What to do. — Give a gill of linseed oil or lard oil once an hour, and 

 between these doses every hour the following anti-spasmodic : 



No. 202. 2 Ounces sulphuric ether, 



2 Ounces laudanum, 

 ^ Pint water. 



Use the probang carefully after each anti-spasmodic. If the whole »f 



