s it. Solids taken would
show in these cases; solids should not, however, be given, as they serve
to increase the trouble by rendering the removal of the body more
difficult.

In thoracic choke the symptoms are less severe. Feed or water may be
ejected through the nose or mouth after the animal has taken a few
swallows. There will be some symptoms of distress, fullness of the
abdomen, cough, and occasionally retching movements. Sometimes a choking
horse is heard to emit groans. The facial expression always denotes
great anxiety and the eyes are bloodshot. The diagnosis is complete if,
upon passing the probang (a flexible tube made for this purpose), an
obstruction is encountered.

_Treatment._--If the choke is at the beginning of the gullet
(pharyngeal) an effort must be made to remove the obstacle through the
mouth. A mouthgag, or speculum, is to be introduced into the mouth to
protect the hand and arm of the operator. Then, while an assistant, with
his hands grasped tightly _behind_ the object, presses it upward and
forward with all his force, the operator must pass his hand into the
mouth until he can seize the obstruction and draw it outward. This mode
of procedure must not be abandoned with the first failure, as by
continued efforts we may get the obstacle farther toward the mouth. If
we fail with the hand, forceps may be introduced through the mouth and
the object seized when it is just beyond the reach of the fingers.
Should our efforts entirely fail, we must then endeavor to force the
obstruction downward by means of the probang. This instrument, which is
of such signal service in removing choke in cattle, is decidedly more
dangerous to use for the horse, and I can not pass this point without a
word of caution to those who have been known to introduce into the
horse's throat such objects as whipstalks, shovel handles, etc. These
are always dangerous, and more than one horse has been killed by such
barbarous treatment.

In cervical as well as in thoracic choke we must first of all endeavor
to soften or lubricate the obstruction by pouring oil or mucilaginous
drinks down the gullet. After this has been done endeavor to move the
object by gentle manipulations with the hands. If choked with oats or
chaff (and these are the objects that most frequently produce choke in
the horse), begin by gently squeezing the lower portion of the impacted
mass and endeavor to work it loose a little at a time. This is greatly
fav