170 FOREIGN BODIES IN THE PHARYNX AND (ESOPHAGUS OF CARNIVORA. 
not at once succeed fat pigs had better be slaughtered. (Esophagotomy 
may be performed in those in poorer condition; it is scarcely more 
difficult or dangerous than in other animals. Hering reports two 
successful cases; the wound healed without being sutured. 
(D) FOREIGN BODIES IN THE PHARYNX AND GESOPHAGUS 
OF CARNIVORA. 
Attention has already been given to the occurrence and treatment of 
foreign bodies in the pharynx of dogs and cats. They occur usually at 
the base of the tongue, often close under the epiglottis, though sometimes 
behind the soft palate in the posterior wall or in the sides of the pharynx. 
Removal must be effected according to the directions before given. 
Bones, particularly vertebrae of birds and game, fish-bones, needles, and 
other sharp objects, are liable to get fixed immediately behind the 
pharynx and occasionally just before the cardiac opening. Smooth 
rounded objects are seldom found obstructing the oesophagus in these 
animals; they generally pass onwards to the bowel. Reichenbach 
removed from a dog’s oesophagus by incision a piece of wood inches 
long, § of an inch broad, and \ an inch thick. Restlessness, anxiety, 
choking and vomiting, avoidance of food and drink, and most notably 
discharge of ropy saliva, suggest the presence of a foreign body. Pressure 
on the oesophagus sometimes gives pain. 
Sharp substances perforating the oesophagus in the neck portion cause 
swelling and inflammation, in the thoracic portion, rapidly fatal pleurisy. 
They can be successfully extracted only by way of the pharynx, as 
described in the chapter “ Foreign Bodies in the Mouth.” The foreign 
body, when in the lower portion of the oesophagus, may be pushed 
onwards with a flexible catheter. This failing, emetics, such as apomor- 
phine subcutaneously, may be tried, and, if unsuccessful, oesophagotomy, 
which in dogs as in other animals is without danger, must be performed. 
Moller often operated successfully. In one case the oesophagus was 
perforated at two points, but the piece of bone was removed, and healing 
followed without stricture or other bad result. 
Coleman removed a rabbit’s vertebra from the oesophagus of a dog by 
incision. Complete healing in a fortnight. Porclier and Morey state 
having discovered by Rontgen photography the presence of a coffee 
spoon in the last portion of a dog’s oesophagus and having removed it 
by gastrotomy. Healing by primary intention. 
(E) IMPACTION OF THE CROP IN BIRDS. 
The crop is a diverticulum of the oesophagus, in which the food is 
prepared for digestion as in the first compartments of the ruminant’s 
