CHOKING. 433 



body may give rise to serious complications, such as sloughing of 

 the mucous membrane at the seat of impaction, and inflammation 

 of the lungs from the entrance of fluid and other matters into the 

 windpipe. If the offending substance be within reach, it should 

 be removed by the hand ; while an assistant presses it forward with 

 his fingers. If it be too far down for this to be done, it may be 

 " started " by gently manipulating the gullet. When an egg sticks 

 fast, it can be readily broken by pressure, if a stout needle be first 

 of all run through it from the outside. In the case of obstruction 

 due to dry food, it is well to give a few drenches of oil and water, 

 while allowing the animal full liberty to return the fluid, which 

 will assist in removing the obstruction. In administering drenches 

 with this object, remember that they are apt to " go the wrong 

 way," and thus give rise to pneumonia. If practicable, pass the 

 point of a fine syringe (ihtrartracheal or hypodermic) into the 

 impacted mass, and try to break it up by injecting into it oil or 

 water. Let the patient have a constant supply of linseed tea or 

 water to sip, and to return through his nostrils if he likes. If the 

 horse is not quiet, twitch him, and then pass a probang through 

 his mouth into his gullet, so as to overcome the stoppage ; great 

 care being taken not to shove the probang into the windpipe. In 

 default of a regular probang, use a male catheter, a flexible driving 

 whip with a soft round head, fixed on to its point, or even a piece 

 of rope " served " round with twine to make it stiff and smooth. 

 If the animal is difficult to handle, he may be "cast " and put 

 under the influence of chloroform. If the cause of the obstruction 

 can be felt from the outside, and resists all other efforts for its 

 dislodgment, it should be cut down upon and removed. The chief 

 points to be observed in performing this operation, which is one 

 that requires knowledge and skill to do properly, are as 

 follows: — (1) Carefully note, so as to avoid injuring them, the 

 respective positions of the jugular vein and carotid artery. 

 The vein may be found by pressure with the finger (p. 118) ; 

 the artery by its pulsation. (2) Make the incision on the 

 left side of the neck and a little below the obstruction, along the 

 course of the gullet and below the jugular vein, so as to obtain 

 effective drainage. (3) Make the wound no larger than is re- 

 quired for the object in view ; refrain from pulling the gullet 

 about ; and having made the incision through the skin and super- 

 ficial muscles, expose the part of the gullet we wish to cut down 

 upon, by carefully tearing away the loose tissue with the fingers, 

 so as to avoid bleeding. (4) Close the wound in the gullet witli 

 sutures (catgut for preference, p. 73), after bringing the divided 

 muscular edges together, as well as the mucous ones ; for union 

 will not take place between mucous surfaces. (5) Treat the 



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