Section IV. 

 DISEASES OF THE ESOPHAGUS. 



1. Inflammation of the Esophagus. Oesophagitis. 



{EntzUendimg des Schlundes [German].) 



Etiology. Irritating, caustic substances or rough, pointed 

 bodies, which are ingested with food or water, or improperly 

 selected medicines, may get into the gullet and cause catarrh 

 or a rather penetrating inflammation of the esophagus. Their 

 injurious influence here becomes more rarely manifest than in 

 the buccal cavity or pharynx, because the esophageal mucosa 

 is less sensitive and better protected by a thicker epithelial 

 covering, and also because irritating matters very rapidly pass 

 through the gullet. These morbid conditions are met witli after 

 the ingestion of very hot distillers' slop, after the administra- 

 tion of ammonia, tartar emetic, after poisoning with acids or 

 alkalies or after greedy swallowing of rough fodder, fragments 

 of bones mixed with meat, foreign bodies which become wedged 

 in the gullet, or after injury by the esophageal sound. Finally, 

 there are traumatic influences acting from without which may 

 become the cause of the inflammatory process. 



The disease may be secondary to inflammatory processes 

 of the pharynx or the stomach, especially if these are due to 

 a general infection (foot-and-mouth disease, variola, diph- 

 theria, rinderpest, etc.). 



Anatomical Changes. In superficial inflammations the 

 epithelial covering is missing either in irregular patches or 

 sometimes to a larger extent, or even along the whole length 

 of the esophagus (Bertheol). The mucosa appears dark red 

 on the uncovered portions, occasionally hemorrhages are seen 

 here; in the other portions the epithelial layers are loosened 

 and can be removed easily; the submucous connective tissue 

 exhibits a more or less intense edematous infiltration. In severe 

 cases the wall of the esophagus is thickened, swollen and the 

 subcutaneous and intramuscular tissue is the seat of a gelatinous 

 or even purulent infiltration. Cattle have developed croupous 

 inflammations after the instillation of spirits of ammonia 

 (Lemaire). 



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