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SUBSTANCES IN THE THROAT.

Whenever it is manifest that all endeavors either to extractor push down the substance must prove ineffectual, they shouldbe discontinued, because the inflammation occasioned by per-sisting in them might be as dangerous as the obstructionitself. Some have died in' consequence of the inflammation,even after the body which caused the obstruction had beenremoved.

While the means recommended above are making use of,the patient should often swallow, or if he cannot he shouldfrequently receive By injection, through a crooked tube orpipe that may reach down to the gullet, some emollient liquor,as warm milk and water, barley water, or a decoction of mal-lows. Injections of this kind not only soften and soothe theirritated parts, but when thrown in with force are often moresuccessful in loosening the obstruction than all attempts withinstruments.

When, after all our endeavors, we are obliged to leave theobstructing body in the part, the patient must be treated as ifhe had an inflammatory disease. He should be bled, keptupon a low diet, and have his whole neck surrounded withemollient poultices. The like treatment must also be used ifthere be any reason to suspect an inflammation of the pas-sages, though the obstructing body be removed.

A proper degree of agitation has sometimes loosened theinhering body more effectually than instruments. Thus ablow on the back has often forced up a substance which stuckin the gullet ; but this is still more proper and efficaciouswhen the substance gets into the windpipe. In this casevomiting and sneezing are likewise to be excited. Pins whichstuck in the gullet have been frequently discharged by ridingon horseback or in a machine.

When any indigestible substance has been forced down tothe stomach, the patient should use a very mild and smoothdiet, consisting chiefly of fruits and farinaceous mealy sub-stances, as puddings, pottage, and soups. He should avoidall heating and irritating things, as wine, punch, pepper, andsuch like ; and his drink should be milk and water, barleywater, or whey.

When the gullet is so strongly and fully closed that thepatient can receive no food by the mouth, he must be nour-ished by clysters of soup, jelly, and the like.

When the patient is in danger of being immediately suf-focated, when all hope of freeing the passage is vanished, and