STRICTURE OF THE (ESOPHAGUS. 



149 



m 



efforts to swallow, which prove unavaiHiig when the contraction is 

 too marked. A reflex antiperistaltic movement often causes the sub- 

 stances ingested to be at once rejected. These violent efforts, however, 

 in time provoke dilatation above the stricture. A quantity of food 

 accumulates in this dilatation, and the symptom so characteristic of 

 cesophageal stricture then appears — viz., regular regurgitation. The 

 second constant symptom associated with compression or obstruction 

 of the oesophagus is tympanites after feeding, however trifling may 

 be the amount swallowed. Eumination is 

 suspended, and even eructation of gas is 

 difficult. Finally, the characteristic sign of 

 stricture is noted on passing the probang, 

 which reveals the existence of the condition, 

 indicates its position, and suggests its degree 

 of development. 



Diagnosis. Strictures only develop pro- 

 gressively and slowly, a fact which enables 

 them to be differentiated from oesophagitis. 

 It is more difficult to differentiate them 

 from dilatations, because the stricture always 

 ends by becoming complicated with dilata- 

 tion ; but this distinction is of little prac- 

 tical importance, the consequences being 

 identical. 



Prognosis. The prognosis is very grave, 

 and there is no economic reason for attempt- 

 ing treatment except in special cases ; the 

 indications are in the direction of slaughter. 



From the economic standpoint there is 

 no treatment. Basing their actions on 

 human practice, the Germans have recom- 

 mended progressive dilatation of the lumen of the oesophagus by passing 

 a series of catheters of gradually increasing size. What, however, is 

 justifiable in human medicine, where the only object is to keep the 

 patient alive at any cost, may be highly objectionable in veterinary 

 practice ; and in the present instance this is the case. Except in very 

 rare instances, which the practitioner alone can apj)reciate, dilatation is 

 contra-indicated, and the owner's interest lies in slaughtering the animal 

 before it has lost much condition. 



Fig. 65. — Scliema of recent 

 and old-standing contraction 

 of the oesophagus. R, simple 

 contraction ; D, secondary 



dilatation. 



DILATATION OF THE CESOPHAGUS. 



Dilatations are more frequent than strictures. Their mode of origin 

 is easily understood. When the muscular tissue has lost its tonicit}' and 



