1 48 DISEASES OF THE (ESOPHAGUS. 



Treatment. As the direct application of medicines to the inflamed 

 mucous membrane can only be of a momentary character, treatment is 

 confined to administering emollient, anodyne, and slightly astringent 

 drinks, the action of which is assisted by feeding with milk, farinaceous or 

 mucilaginous foods. Under these circumstances recovery occurs in ten 

 to fifteen days. The application of stimulant or blistering ointments 

 along the jugular furrow^ may have a good effect. 



When the general condition of the patient becomes aggravated, and 

 the formation of an abscess appears certain, it is best to recommend 

 slaughter. In the case of a submucous abscess the passage of the pro- 

 bang may, how^ever, predispose or cause the abscess to open into the 

 oesophagus, and thus lead rapidly to recovery, but this is exceptional. 

 The "pointing" of the abscess and its opening towards the jugular 

 furrow may be followed by temporary improvement, but at a later stage 

 is followed by fistula formation, or by contraction of the oesophagus 

 itself. From an economic standpoint it is better to slaughter. 



STRICTURE OF THE (ESOPHAGUS. 



Under normal conditions the cavity or lumen of the oesophageal tube 

 is, so to speak, imaginary : the walls of the tube lie flatly together, and 

 the mucous membrane is in folds. During the act of swallowing the 

 tube becomes dilated to a degree varying with the size of the bolus of 

 food, and again retracts as soon as deglutition is effected. AYhenever the 

 dilatability of the tube is markedly diminished by changes in its walls, 

 and, in a much higher degree, when this dilatability has disappeared, 

 true stricture exists. In the former case small boluses of food and 

 liquids alone succeed in passing the stricture ; in the latter, liquids alone 

 can pass. 



Causation. Strictures are never primary. They result from intense 

 attacks of oesophagitis, ending in sclerosis of the mucous coat, extensive 

 ulceration consequent on scalding, or interstitial inflammation affecting 

 the muscular coats, which then become thickened or sclerosed. 



Internal injuries due to attempts to withdraw or propel foreign 

 bodies along the oesophagus may also cause strictures. 



Lesions. In simple strictures the lesions are confined to the develop- 

 ment in the depths of the mucous membrane and in the muscular layers 

 of inflammatory tissue, which becomes denser with lapse of time. This 

 alters the character of the walls and the structure of the tissues, and 

 causes them to lose their elasticity. After extensive ulceration the tissue 

 of the cicatrix contracts and hardens to a very varying degree. 



Symptoms. The apparent symptoms are very clearly marked ; the 

 appetite is good, and the animal masticates as usual, but in the act 

 of deglutition is seen to extend the head on the neck, and to make 



