THE PHARYNX.
The pharynx, to which we just now alluded, is a membranous, muscular, funnel-shaped bag, extending from the root of the tongue to the larynx and œsophagus, wide in front and becoming gradually narrower until it terminates in the œsophagus. Its office is to convey the food from the mouth to the upper part of the gullet, and this it performs by means of its lining muscles. Properly speaking, we ought perhaps to have noticed it when speaking of the digestive system, but as we are proceeding from the head to the neck we have included it in this division of our subject.
THE OS HYOIDES.
This is a body which embraces the thyroid cartilage of the larynx, and gives support and protection to it, and also affords attachments to the hyo-glossus longus muscle, or that which draws the tongue into the mouth; the brevis, which fulfils a similar office; the hyo-pharyngeus, which dilates the pharynx; the anterior constrictor pharyngeus, which contracts the pharynx, and several others.
This bone in the human being is supposed to resemble the Greek letter upsilon; in the horse it may be compared to a spur, but in the swine it is different. This animal requires a freer use of the tongue. The shorter cornua are stronger than in the horse, or even the ox and dog; the central one is less developed, and the longer cornua is thin and insignificant. There is also considerably less ligament interposed between this bone and the thyroid cartilage, which it almost closely embraces. We will now proceed to a consideration of the diseases of the throat and neck.
STRANGLES OR QUINSY.
These diseases are of very frequent occurrence, and as they are rapid in their progress, generally exceedingly fatal. They chiefly attack fattening hogs.
The glands under the throat begin to swell, and thus affect not only the respiratory organs but the act of swallowing; impeded respiration, hoarseness, and debility then supervene; the pulse becomes quick and unequal, the head to a certain extent palsied, the neck swells, tumefies, and rapidly goes on to gangrene; the tongue hangs from the mouth, and is covered with slaver, and the animal gradually sinks. In the commencement of the disease very simple treatment, as cooling medicines, attention to diet, and care and warmth, will often suffice to check it; but when the swelling, impeded respiration, and difficulty of swallowing has come on, recourse must be had to more energetic treatment. Bleeding and purgatives are
