SYMPTOMS. — TREATMENT. 607 



matory or otlier diseased conditions ; (h) The existence of 

 pol}'pi or tumours on the inner structures ; (c) The presence of 

 morbid growths in its vicinity. When the condition of narrow- 

 ing of the cahbre of the tube is estabhshed, certain changes are 

 hkely to follow in other parts : above the stricture we will have 

 hypertrophy, with dilatation, from the steady distension which 

 is kept up ; below, the opposite conditions are likely to prevail. 



Sjnnptoms. — These are gradual in their development : at first 

 the difficulty in swallowing may not be much, and only shown 

 when certain foods are partaken of; at length obstruction 

 becomes evident and painful, showing itself most distinctly 

 when dry food, or large masses are attempted to be passed along. 

 Often food wiU be retarded at the constricted part, and the 

 upper and dilated portion of the tube become much distended 

 before ejection takes place, the quantity in these cases being 

 considerable. 



Along with the discharged food there is also much mucus, 

 sometimes blood and purulent matter. Careful manipulatory 

 examination from without, and occasional use of the probang, 

 may assist us in determining the causes of the obstruction and 

 the probabilities of recovery ; when in certain cases the obstruc- 

 tion is overcome, an altered condition of the oesophagus, con- 

 sisting of permanent dilatation, is apt to succeed. 



Treatment. — In those cases where the stricture proceeds from 

 textural changes in the walls themselves, little can be done to 

 relieve the animal. When tumours, either within or without 

 the canal, are the constricting agents, there may be some pros- 

 pect of amendment, their management depending upon their 

 nature and particular situation. In all, attention to dieting is 

 particularly called for, so as to secure for the animal what is 

 least likely to irritate the parts, and sufficiently nutritive to 

 support its strength. 



