Try also pouring some oil or thin grease into the gullet through a horn inserted into the mouth.
A pinch or small spoonful of coarse gun-powder put far back under the animal’s tongue, will often cause a violent regurgitation or vomiting, which brings up the offending substance.
Give also F.F., every half hour, if the animal is bloated or distressed with wind, or the J.K., if suffering from indigestion.
If it be too far down the œsophagus for removal in this manner, the obstruction must be pushed into the stomach. For this purpose a probang must be carefully used. A good, common probang, which will not lacerate the gullet, may be readily made from a piece of firm rope, from half-inch to an inch in diameter and four or five feet long. Wind the end of this from two or three inches down to near the end with firm, strong twine, so as to make a firm square, not pointed end. Secure the twine carefully in the strands, so it will not unravel, or yet better, wind the ends of the cord along in the strands of the rope to the handle. Then smear the bulb and rope with lard, and pass the probang down to the obstruction, and, using it like a ram-rod, drawing it back but a few inches at a stroke, you can readily drive down the obstruction, without danger of lacerating the gullet, as you are in great danger of doing by using a “rakestail” or other piece of stiff wood, causing the death of the patient.
Wounds
Animals are often exposed to wounds, which differ in character and importance, according to the manner in which they have been produced, the extent of the injury, and the part wounded.
Incised Wounds are produced by instruments with sharp edges; these wounds have no jagged edges, and heal most rapidly.
Stab Wounds may not appear very considerable on the surface, but may be very serious, as important parts may have been injured. If a bowel has been cut, blood is generally discharged from the anus, or the contents of the bowel escape through the external wound. If the parts around a stab wound soon begin to swell, blood-vessels and intestines have probably been injured, and extravasation of blood takes place.
Lacerated Wounds are caused by rough and blunt bodies, have a jagged and uneven appearance, and, although large and important blood-vessels have been divided, in general there is but little bleeding.
Treatment.—If dirt, wood, glass, sand, shot, or any other substance have got into the wound, remove them by a sponge and cold water; in some cases a syringe may be required for this purpose. If there is much bleeding, this must be arrested by using a sponge dipped in cold water, or with Humphreys’ Marvel Witch Hazel or Humphreys’ Veterinary Oil, and gently pressed upon the wound. If arteries have been severed, they will have to be grasped with a pair of forceps, and drawn slightly and gently forward, so that they may be securely tied by means of a strong ligature of silk. You may know an artery has been injured by the blood being bright red and coming in spurts. The healing of cut-wounds is facilitated by bringing the edges together by means of adhesive plaster, or by stitching them. Before sewing up a wound, the bleeding should have ceased, and the operator must be careful that all foreign bodies, loose shreds of tissue, and clots of blood are carefully removed; otherwise inflammation will be produced, and the stitches will have to be removed. The sides of the wound should first be placed closely together, as before injury; each thread should be tied by itself, so that if one stitch breaks out, others may remain undisturbed. Well-waxed silk or strong thread should be used, and as many stitches inserted as may be necessary to unite the edges of the wound.