CHOKE. There are two forms of choke—the high and low choke. The high choke is the most quickly fatal unless relieved. The cause is some substance lodged in the throat, as an apple, potato, etc., in swallowing. Some stable-keepers foolishly put an egg down the throat of a horse, out of condition, under the absurd idea that in some mysterious way it is beneficial. An egg mixed in the food, or, indeed, three or four of them daily, is beneficial to a weak horse. In case of choking by a whole egg, it may be easily broken by pressure from the outside—not so a hard substance. Whenever the object can be reached by the hand, or the forceps, pull the tongue well out of the mouth and do so at once, first oiling the gullet. If it cannot be reached in this way, a probang must be used to push it down into the stomach. A probang is any strong, flexible rod, with an enlargement at one end. Gutta percha is best. The use of the pro bang in horses is somewhat difficult, but with cattle quite easy. To do this, raise the nose of the animal as high as possible, so that from the mouth down it is a straight line, and keep it so while operating. Introduce the probang care fully down the gullet. When it reaches the oL ject, press gently, but firmly, on it, for a few seconds at a time, and so proceed, after a few moment's relaxation, again and again, until the obstacle gives way. Then keep it gently
moving until the obstacle enters the stomach. Sometimes all such means fail. Assured of this, use the knife promptly to save life. While an assistant presses the off side of the neck to make a strong bulge, with a sharp knife cut fearlessly through skin, flesh and integuments down upon the offending substance, and remove it with the forceps. Make the cut long enough so there will be no difficulty in getting at the obstruction. Then bring the edges of the gullet together, stitch nicely with fine cat-gut, leaving the ends long enough to reach out of the cut. Then stitch the edges of the skin together in the same way, and feed on sloppy food until recovery. It should be remembered that a narrowing of the gullet is apt to follow this operation that may prevent the swallowing of solid food thereafter. Consequently, all other means should be exhausted before resorting to the knife. It should be used only to save life.
C A common term applied to foul air. Carbonic acid gas, with or without a mixture of nitrogen. When necessary to enter wells for the purpose of cleaning, or any under ground place, a flame should be first let clown. If it continues to burn freely, there is no danger to life.