208 MANUAL OF EQUINE MEDICINE. 



Treatment. — Nutritious diet is required, and should be 

 semi-solid or liquid. It is best to pass a probang in order to 

 ascertain the cause of the obstruction and its extent. The 

 stricture may be dilated in some cases, and recovery follow, 

 but dilatation of the tube above the constriction will most 

 likely remain. In stricture due to changes in the walls them- 

 selves, treatment will in all probability be of little avail. 



When it is the result of tumours, the treatment will depend 

 on the site and nature of the abnormal growth. 



SPASM OF THE (ESOPHAGUS.— Spasm of the oeso- 

 phagus is not common in the horse, and the causes inducing 

 it are uncertain. In some instances, however, it has been 

 shown to depend on local irritation. 



Symptoms. — When food, especially of a solid nature, is 

 swallowed, it is, after travelling a certain distance, arrested 

 for a time, and afterwards passes on, or is ejected suddenly, 

 through the nose chiefly, but also through the mouth. The 

 neck is usually bent, and the oesophageal muscles may be 

 observed to undergo contraction. 



Treatment. — If any obstruction is suspected, it is well to 

 pass the probang, and morphia in full doses maybe injected 

 subcutaneously. 



If the general health is disturbed, laxatives followed by 

 tonics are indicated. 



Section III. 



DISEASES OF THE STOMACH. 



GENERAL REMARKS ON SOME GASTRIC SYMPTOMS. 



Flatulence. — Flatulence, or distension of the stomach and 

 bowels with gas, results from fermentation, in the course of 

 which carbonic acid chiefly, and other gases, such as sul- 



