(ESOPHAGITIS. . 147 



The irregularity in deglutition, and therefore also in rumination, 

 sometimes excites moderate tympanites without any very apparent cause. 

 Should the condition still appear doubtful the oesophageal sound may be 

 passed, but with great care. It generally aggravates the pain and pro- 

 duces intense antiperistaltic movements, which the practitioner should 

 not attempt to overcome. 



Complications. If oesophagitis is moderate, recovery is the rule. 

 The symptoms of pain gradually diminish. 



When, on the contrary, inflammation is very intense, as in certain 

 cases of traumatic oesophagitis, the injured spot may become infected 

 and suppuration follow. The existing fever then persists or becomes 

 more marked ; the animal is extremely dei)ressed ; respiration may be 

 ditlicult and accelerated, and appetite is entirely lost. 



If the oesophageal abscess remains submucous the diagnosis is 

 difficult, but it is often problematical, even when the abscess develops 

 in the cervical region. The jugular furrow (usually on the left side) 

 becomes the seat of a severe diffuse inflammatory swelling, the course of 

 which clearly indicates the development of the symptoms. In exceptional 

 cases fluctuation may be detected. 



If from the first the abscess develops around the oesophagus or in the 

 course of suppuration comes to occupy this position, swelling in the 

 jugular furrows is more apparent and easier to detect, and in this case 

 fluctuation may be localised. When the lesions are within the thorax 

 no tangible symptoms can be detected. Death may occur in a few days, 

 when an abscess in the lower cervical region breaks into the anterior 

 mediastinum, or when an abscess in the thoracic region opens into the 

 pleural cavity. In oesophagitis produced by scalding and from swallowing 

 hot or caustic liquids the mucous membrane, and sometimes the muscular 

 tissue, is destroyed, and ulcerations and cicatrices result, or the oesophagus 

 may even" be perforated, with rapidly fatal results ; even when recovery 

 occurs, cicatrices form and cause very grave contraction. 



Diagnosis. The diagnosis is generally easy, provided that the 

 symptoms noted are methodically analysed and the history of the 

 case is taken into consideration. 



Prognosis is favourable in ordinary cases. On the other hand, it 

 may be very grave when general symptoms become marked, when the 

 vital functions are disturbed and a deep-seated abscess appears to be 

 forming. 



Lesions. In the first degree the lesions are confined to inflammation 

 and desquamation of the epithelium ; in the second, to inflammation of 

 the corium and of the mucous membrane ; in the third, to infiltration of 

 the submucous layers and of the muscular and j^erioesophageal tissues. 

 Sloughing and perforation follow the administration of caustic liquids. 



L 2 



