CHOKE 39 



vived, but ultimately death occurs during one of them. 

 Dilatation choke is recurrent. Choke of the spasmodic 

 variety is not. Choke in all forms is more serious when 

 in the thoracic portion of the esophagus than when it is 

 in the cervical portion. 



Points of value in diagnosis and of import from the 

 side of prognosis are : 



1. In spasmodic chokes (which includes nearly 98 per 

 cent of all cases) the symptoms are acute, urgent. In 

 dilatation choke the symptoms are not so impressive. 



2. In spasmodic choke the point at which the food has 

 lodged can only be detected during one of the muscular 

 cramps, in the cervical form. In dilatation choke the 

 fullness over the obstructed portion of the esophagus can 

 be seen or felt at all times, in the cervical form. In 

 thoracic forms it is never possible to make this observa- 

 tion. 



3. History of repeated attacks of choke in the same ani- 

 mal is almost positive evidence that dilatation exists, 

 which will eventually cause the animal's death. Spas- 

 modic chokes rarely recur. 



4. In dilatation choke the horse may continue to swal- 

 low some food even after the choke is fully established. 

 In the spasmodic form feed is refused. 



Treatment. Spasmodic Form. The treatment of this 

 form of choke is based on the knowledge that we possess 

 of its pathology. Recognizing this form of choke as a 

 simple functional disturbance, we treat the case accord- 

 ingly. With the use of agents having such tendencies 

 we endeavor to overcome the spasm in the parts involved. 

 We know that as soon as this spasm is relieved the bolus 

 of food that is in its grasp will pass on. Therefore, we 

 use no probang or other mechanical appliance in the 

 treatment of this form of choke. One grain of pilocarpin 

 hydrochlorid, hypodermatieally, will relieve most spas- 



