Cattle 1853 - Lewis Family Farm

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has been corroded, and is coming away piecemeal. The disease frequently
terminates in suffocation, about the fourth or fifth day.
On examination after death, the pharynx is generally filled with
260 CATTLE.
this purulent matter, and the membrane beneath is in a state of ulceration,
or gangrene. The inflammatory appearance, and the gangrenous
one too, extend to a greater or less distance down the gullet
they usually occupy the whole of the larynx, and often a considera-
ble portion of the windpipe, and occasionally may be traced into the
bronchial tubes. It is evidently a local affection ; it is acute inflammation
of the pharynx or the larynx ; oftenest of the former, and
sometimes of both. The contents of the thorax and the abdomen
are usually free from disease.
Bleeding has been found of little service in this complaint ; and it
is necessary either to hasten the suppuration while the surrounding
membrane and other parts retain some vital power, or to evacuate
the fluid as quickly as possible. For the first purpose, blisters of
various kinds, and even the heated iron, have been applied to the
throat ; for the second, the tumor has been lanced, however deeply
it may be seated. It requires, however, an experienced veterinary
surgeon to conduct any operation, here, for the part is crowded with
important blood-vessels, the wounding of one of which may be
fatal.
When there is no great external enlargement, and yet much difficulty
of breathing, and suffocation is threatened, there is reason to
apprehend that the pharynx, or some factitious pouch which nature
has suddenly formed for the fluid, or the guttural pouches, (yet very'
rarely, for they are small in the ox,) or the commencement of the
communication between the mouth and the ear, are filled with pus.
None but a skillful veterinary surgeon should attempt an opening in
such a case. The following hints may be some guide.
PUNCTURING THE PHARYNX.
The beast must be cast, and properly secured. This must be
effected with as little violence as possible, for in the struggles of the
animal, and the sudden quickening of the breathing, suffocation may
ensue in a moment. If there be a little greater enlargement on one
side than on the other, the animal should be cast with that side upward.
The operator should now have the head of the patient moderately
extended, and then he will ascertain the situation of the middle
of the anterior edge of the atlas, or first bone of the neck (??., p. 143).
Close upon this, or connected with it, he will find the posterior edge
of the parotid gland. He should elevate the skin, and, taking the
edge of the atlas as a guide, and following its direction, he should
make his incision about twp, or not exceeding three inches in length,
but no deeper than the skin and the cellular substance, and the
centre of his incision should answer to the centre of the rounded
;