DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE OBGANS. 770 



Linseed oil .} pt. 



Sulphuric ether ....'..'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.' .'.'..' 1 oz - 



The obstruction may then he expelled by coughing, or pass 

 downward. Before proceeding to surgical treatment, repeated 

 draughts of warm water should be poured down. If these measures 

 dp not succeed, the probang must be used. 



This is passed with the cup-shaped end foremost, the cow being 

 secured as in Fig. 1027, and the mouth being held open by the 

 wooden or iron gag. When the obstruction is reached, it is forced 

 into the stomach, by gentle, steady pressure on the probang, the 

 operator bearing in mind the precautions given on page 135 for its 

 use in hoven, The diet for a few days should be thin, sloppy food, 

 that the gullet may not be irritated by rough, solid particles. The 

 writer has seen a broomstick used as a probang by a clumsy farmer, 

 but we- must unconditionally condemn the use of such primitive 



Pig. 1027. — Holding the Cow for the Passage o! the Probang. 



and unsuitable instruments. The attempt to dislodge obstructions 

 in the gullet, with the most approved instruments, in the hands of 

 skillful operators, is always attended with considerable risk. Fatal 

 injuries are by no means rare with inexperienced operators. Lacer- 

 ation, of the coats of the gullet often occurs in choking, before 

 mechanical means are resorted to, or the spasms may so weaken the 

 tissue as to make rupture easy when the probang is passed. 



Sometimes a pouch is formed in the coats of the gullet, into 

 which the obstruction passes and remains, giving rise to irritation. 

 Inflammation may succeed, and abscesses follow, causing much suf- 

 fering, and even death, unless relief is furnished. 



The mass should be cut down upon with the knife, and removed. 

 The parts are then united by suture, and treated as an ordinary 

 wound. Should ulceration of the gullet come on after the removal 



