REPORTS OF CASES. 
119 
Not alone in onr judgment should liquids not be forced into 
the pharynx nor the patient be permitted to attempt swallow¬ 
ing them voluntarily while choked, but the practice followed at 
times of causing the animal to attempt to swallow liquids im¬ 
mediately after the passage of the probang or the withdrawal of 
a foreign body from the pharynx should not be countenanced. 
It is given frequently as a test to determine that the oesophagus 
is open. We have strangled animals fatally in this way after 
the choke had been properly relieved. 
The case further illustrates the value o£ Moller’s observa¬ 
tions that a large percentage of chokes become spontaneously 
relieved if let alone, even after a duration of three or four days. 
We observed one case of spontaneous relief in case of ob¬ 
struction, believed to be due to impacted hay, after the duration 
of six days. In this case we repeatedly tried to pass the pro¬ 
bang without result, even under complete anaesthesia. 
A NUMBER OF INTERESTING CASES FROM ILLINOIS.* 
By C. E. Hoeeingsworth, Ea Salle, Ill. 
I will bring before you to-day a brief history of a few cases 
that are, or may be seen in any every-day practice. It is our 
humble opinion that more real benefit is to be derived from such 
reports than if writing about cases that are seen but once in a 
lifetime, if at all, and thus are of very little practical value to 
the majority of us. You will all agree with me when I state 
that it is practical information that we want most—good hard 
practical facts, right to the point—not long drawn out fine-spun 
theories. Nor do I think it is to the best interests of the society 
to bring before its members a protracted account of many 
marvelous cures with not a single failure. It is true that oc¬ 
casionally something very unusual occurs with all of us, and, 
perhaps, to our surprise. After it is all over, we wonder how 
it happened. If a sober second thought shows it to be worthy 
of consideration, or proves to us that it will be of value to our 
colleagues, let us report it. If, on the other hand, there is 
something in it that we cannot fathom, by all means bring it 
before the association, for others may be able to enlighten us. 
Frequently there is more to be learned from a failure than a 
success, either in studying over the case ourselves, or in seeking 
the advice of our brothers in the profession, some of whom may 
have had more experience in that particular line than ourselves. 
* Read before Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association, Feb. 12 , 1901 . 
