604 



DISEASES OF THE (ESOrHAGUS. 



conditions or associations are more than others likely to pre- 

 cede or accompany this, as — (1) A previous general unhealthy 

 state of the system ; (2) The advent of the pharyngeal inflam- 

 mation with some of the specific fevers ; (3) It may appear as 

 part of a common pyiiemic state ; (4) Certain vitiating influences 

 seem to have power in determining this pus-formative action 

 in pharyngeal inflammations. 



Symptoms. — Although somewhat varying, they may generally 

 be regarded as — (1) Obvious and audible obstruction in the 

 acts of breathing and swallowing. (2) Occasional swelling and 

 tenderness on manipulation externally; general and defined 

 swelling on examination of the pharynx internally. 



Treatment. — When the breathing is much interfered with, 

 fumigation with the vapour of hot water is indicated ; this 

 removes the tension and hastens the maturation of the abscess. 

 The smaller abscesses, and those which have developed rapidly, 

 frequently burst when mature, discharging their contents 

 through the nose. In cases where suffocation is feared, or 

 where the abscesses seem tardy in approaching the surface, 

 and when distinctly felt internally, they may be opened from 

 within with a guarded knife. In attempting to make this 

 incision it is better to do so with the animal standing ; in this 

 way the danger of choking from the rush of pus is considerably 

 lessened. 



CHAPTER XXXV. 



DISEASES OF THE (ESOPHAGUS. 



The food- tube, extending from the pharynx to the stomach, is 

 in the horse a rather rare seat of idiopathic disease. Such as may 

 be encountered are either— (1) CEsophagitis, or inflammation 

 of the textures of the tube; (2) Certain functional derangements; 

 (3) Structural alterations. 



1. CEsophagitis, ok lNFLA:\nrATiON of the Structures com- 

 posing THE Tube. — This is the result— («) Of direct injury 

 from irritating liquids administered through mistake ; (b) Of 

 contact in passing along the tube of hard and too large por- 

 tions of some food material; (c) Following the infliction of 



