CHOKE 87 



the doctor was called in, shows lack of experience in 

 these conditions. 



In my practice I do not hesitate to inform the client 

 who has meddled with a case of choke that he must abide 

 by the consequences. I place all the responsibility con- 

 nected with the case on his shoulders. I take the case 

 for what it is worth ; I do what ought to be done. But 

 I offer no encouragement. 



On the other hand, I view with extreme optimism all 

 cases that come to me "first-hand." I do not hesitate to 

 make light of the case. I try in every manner to place 

 my client 's mind at ease and to relieve him of all worry 

 about the patient 's state. My chief object in doing this 

 lies in the way of obtaining a free hand in the handling 

 of the case. As a graduate veterinarian I realize that 

 non-interference is worth more in cases of choke than 

 injudicious treatment. If I succeed in placing my client 

 in a frame of mind compatible with this knowledge, I have 

 made a big stride towards a satisfactory termination of 

 the case. 



Symptoms. (Spasmodic Choke.) The symptoms of 

 choke in the spasmodic form are more acute than in that 

 form caused by a dilatation of the esophagus. The ani- 

 mal stops eating suddenly, backs away from its feed, and 

 shows signs of restlessness. When the animal attempts 

 to swallow, a gurgling sound is heard over the esophagus, 

 and the cervical region goes through an attack of mus- 

 cular cramps or convulsions. The muscles in the region 

 seem to contract en masse, while the esophageal canal 

 stands out in bold relief. If the obstruction is in the 

 cervical portion of the tube, it is usually possible to 

 detect it during one of the cramps. There is then an 

 added prominence or a greater thickness that can be 

 seen over the obstruction. The majority of spasmodic 

 chokes are in the cervical region. 



