CHOKING. 113 
in every instance prove successful; and, as an egg, probably, alone could 
be of sufficient size to resist all the measures adopted for its removal, a 
large darning-needle must then be procured. That, being first armed 
with a piece of strong twine, must be driven through the skin and made 
to enter the globular impactment. There is no danger of injuring nerves 
or arteries while doing this; all vessels are pushed on one side by the 
enlargement, caused by the choking substance. The integrity of the 
shell being destroyed, the egg may easily be broken by external pressure. 
Another plan proposed, is to insert a fine trocar, and draw off the con- 
tents of the egg. Hither method would answer, but it is always well 
to wound the lining membrane of the cesophagus as little as may be 
possible. 
The employment of the cow probang has been advocated; the egg 
to be broken, if this recommendation is adopted, by the employment of 
the whalebone stilet. The cesophagus of the cow and horse, however, 
are of such different construction, that he must be a very bold or a very 
ignorant person who dare employ an instrument made for the first, to 
remove an obstruction within the gullet of the last. 
THE COW PROBANG, USED TO BREAK AN EGG. 
An old and hardened ball may provoke this accident; but then the 
impactment is not complete, because such substances are seldom of a 
perfect round. The sides are opened, and the obstruction is, therefore, 
more easily removed. Horses are not like the bovine race, so greedy as 
to swallow potatoes or small turnips, without mastication. Besides, 
man’s favorite is more under domestication, and, therefore, less exposed 
to such accidents. 
When the choking occurs low down, or within the thoracic portion of 
the esophagus, the symptoms are less urgent. The animal ceases to 
feed. If water is attempted to be swallowed, it returns by the nostrils. 
The countenance expresses anguish; but the head is not held erect, 
neither are the muscles of the neck spasmodically contracted. Saliva 
flows from the mouth, and a copious discharge runs from the nose. The 
breathing is labored; but it is seldom noisy. The back is roached, the 
flanks tucked up, and the horse often stands as if desirous of elevating 
the quarters. 
After two or three days, (for the low choke may continue such a 
period,) the accumulation of wind er the abdomen becomes excessive ; 
