258 The Diseases of Aninals 
two, and swallowing the lower part. When this instru- 
ment cannot be obtained, an excellent substitute is a 
piece of three-fourths or one-inch rubber hose, five or 
six feet long. The hose ean be stiffened by drawing 
a piece of rope through it, and cutting it off even 
with the end. If hose is not to be had, a smooth buggy 
whip can be used, passing it down butt end first. 
If the obstacle cannot be gotten either up or down, 
and if it is where it can be reached from the outside, 
the only way left to remove it is by the assistance of 
a good surgeon. The animal should be confined, and 
an incision made through the skin and muscles. This 
incision is pushed to one side, and an incision made 
through the esophagus, or gullet. This is done so 
that the two incisions will not come opposite when 
they are closed. After the incisions are made, and 
the obstacle removed, the parts are washed clean and 
the esophagus closed by sewing with catgut, the 
stitches being taken close together. Afterward, antisep- 
ties are used on the wound, and the outside wound is 
closed by sewing the skin and muscles with silk. It is 
now treated as a simple wound. No solid food should 
be given till the wound heals, as a bad running sore, or 
fistula, is likelv to be formed. Sweet milk with raw 
eggs beaten in it is excellent; gruels and mashes may 
be given when the parts have united. 
Horses that are subject to choking on dry food 
should not be allowed to eat rapidly. This can be pre- 
vented by arranging the feed-box so that he can get but 
a small amount at a mouthful. Smooth round stones 
may be placed in the feed-box. Iron feed-boxes are 
