13 
ON CHOKING IN HORSES AND CATTLE. 
-Bj/ Mr. King, V.S.j Stanmore. 
Gentlemen, 
Having noticed in your periodical an expressed wish for the 
communication of cases, it occurred to me that the following 
statements might not be altogether devoid of interest to junior 
country practitioners. The subject is that of Choking, and in 
the horse more particularly; but as my practice has given me 
opportunities of meeting with the same accidents in cattle, I 
shall not altogether neglect that part of veterinary surgery. 
When I say country practitioners, I believe they are more likely 
to meet with such cases than the residents in great towns and 
cities. 
Choking is of very common occurrence, principally among old 
horses, whose molars are imperfect, and whose desire for food, on 
coming into the stable from work or pasture, prompts them to 
bolt their meat (generally dry corn) without sufficient prepara¬ 
tion. When the animal has, which is not unfrequently the case, 
sent down one mouthful after another, till the whole oesophagus 
is distended to its utmost stretch, almost from the stomach to 
the throat, recovery is very rare. In such cases I have frequently 
endeavoured to pour down fluids; and, by pressing and 
agitating the oesophagus, to squeeze, by degrees, some of the 
liquid among the collected food, and it has occasionally answered. 
When the tube is so stuffed', the application of the probang can 
afford no chance of relief. I have seen Weiss’s injecting appa¬ 
ratus, and think that in such cases it might be applied with ad¬ 
vantage, as the power of the instrument appears likely to 
force the ffuid amongst the collected mass with greater effect 
than could possibly be produced by its gravity, and the mere ele¬ 
vation of the head; but I have not yet had an opportunity of 
trying the instrument. 
When, from the inconvenience arising to the animal from the 
stoppage, the horse has quickly discontinued feeding, and,’ on ex¬ 
amination, there is reason to think that the principal obstruction 
is in that portion of the oesophagus which lies within the chest, 
liquids and the probang will generally relieve. 
The symptoms are well known, viz. ineffectual attempts at 
deglutition; throwing all the parts connected with the act into 
the most painful and spasmodic contractions, often accompanied 
by an expressive squeak; and the return of saliva and all given 
fluids through the mouth and nose. 
