4G Anatomy, Physiolopj, and Pathology of the 
mangold-wurzel, &c., have materially diminished the number of 
these accidents ; nevertheless from time to time they occur, and 
are attended with serious consequences. Although most cases of 
choking depend more on the preparation than on the kind of 
provender, still many arise from a habit that some oxen acquire of 
feeding greedily, and badly masticating their food. An ox that 
has once been choked is more liable to a second occurrence of 
the accident, and practical feeders of cattle are well aware that 
some bullocks will very frequently choke themselves when they 
are kept on tuberous roots. In cases of this description, although 
an operation is seldom necessary, still the animals require more than 
ordinary attention, for their own efforts to dislodge the obstruction 
may be fruitless, and, consequently, suffocation may take place. 
There are two parts of the gullet where the root is most likely 
to be lodged, the one being at the origin of the tube from the 
pharynx, the other near its termination in the rumen. If the root 
is impacted high up, it is a ])roof that it is large, and great care is 
then required in our operations to remove it. Very large portions 
will rarely pass beyond the pharynx, and under such circumstances 
no attempt should be made to force the root downwards, for 
the oesophagus would assuredly be lacerated. In these cases the 
hand should be passed into the mouth, and carried backwards 
sufficiently far to lay hold of the root, and draw it out, using as a 
protection to the arm a gag similar in form to an ordinary balling 
iron. When this proceeding is impracticable, an instrument con- 
sisting of spring forceps concealed within a hollow bulb, from 
which they can be thrust at pleasure, may be employed. In 
these operations an assistant is especially required, who should 
grasp the throat a little below the impacted substance and press 
it towards the operator. 
The distress exhibited by the animal, as well as the danger, is 
always in proportion to the size of the offending mass and its 
situation within the gullet. When high up, the symptoms usually 
are, frequent cough ; quick and laboured breathing ; painful ex- 
pirations ; extended head ; frequent eructations ; discharge of viscid 
saliva ; efforts to regurgitate ; tympany of aljdomen on the left side, 
accompanied with great uneasiness ; acceleration of the pulse ; &c. 
The patient rarely lies down, or experiences any relief until the 
obstruction is displaced ; but, on the contrary, the pain becomes 
increased, the abdomen more distended, and the respiration diffi- 
cult; in which condition he staggers to and fro, falls, and dies 
from suffocation. 
When the impacted substance is situated low down, there is less 
discharge of saliva, rarely any cough ; the tympany is slight, and 
the breathing but little disturbed. The animal separates himself 
from the herd, is disinclined to move, stands poking the head. 
