CHAPTER III. 

 DISEASES OF THE OESOPHAGUS* 



The CL'sophageal tube is of very simple anatomical construction, and 

 performs an equally simple physiological function ; nevertheless, in the 

 ox it is liable to a large number of diseased conditions. These con- 

 ditions may affect only a circumscribed area of the 

 mucous membrane or the entire extent of the tube. 

 Agahi, both the muscular and mucous tissues may 

 be affected, as in inflammation of the oesophagus 

 accompanied or followed by contraction, and in the 

 formation of (esophageal abscesses and tumours ; 

 or the muscular tissue alone may be affected, as Fm. 64.— Schema il- 

 in cases of dilatation. Even where no lesion is . l^s^'i'ating anatomy 

 apimrent the normal rhythm of deglutition may ° ,^^ oesopiagus. 



.^ . , f -, -.1 • •- •. 1 ^-u n ^ strong external 



1)6 niterfered with, either by the presence of a | j, ^^ muscle, in- 



foreign body (obstruction) or by spasm of the mus- temiediate cellulo- 



cular layers (oesophagismus) or by compression due elastic layer, inner' 



to tissues surrounding the oesophagus (false con- ^^y^^ °^ mucous 



tractions) . "o^s ^XV able of 



We shall successively study the different forms ^^,^,^^ dilatation 



of oesophagitis, contraction, and dilatation, together 



with their complications ; then obstructions, ruptures of the oesophagus, 

 oesophagismus, and false contractions. 



(ESOPHAGITIS. 



Inflammation of the oesophagus may be due to many different causes, 

 and may occur in one of three different degrees of severity. It may 

 be either superffcial, i.e., limited to the epithelial layer of the mucous 

 membrane ; or deep, affecting the entire thickness of the mucous mem- 

 brane (epithelium, corium, and oesophageal glands) ; or, finally, it may 

 attack both the mucous and muscular layers. German authors recog- 

 nise various divisions, such as erythematous, catarrhal, follicular, and 

 phlegmonous oesophagitis. In reality these are not always different forms, 

 but simply successive stages in the evolution of a single morbid condition. 



D.C. L 



