THE DISEASES OF CATTLE. 77 



tight, and depending on the heat given off from their lungs and 

 bodies in lieu of fuel, which they could not afford to buy. In 

 the course of a few weeks their countenances became of a 

 deathlike paleness ; at the end of a couple of months death 

 visited these unfortunates, and carried off nearly half their 

 number, and several others were only reserved to die a more 

 lingering death of typhus fever." 



These unfortunates were to be pitied ; but what shall we say 

 of tliose who know the evil and have the means to guard 

 against it, as that mean economy or thoughtlessness which is to 

 be observed in the construction of dwelling-houses, lecture- 

 rooms, public places of amusement, and houses of worship ? 



DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE (ESOPHAGUS. 



The cEsophagus or gullet, extends from the mouth to the 

 stomach ; it passes down the left side of the neck, outside the 

 windpipe, between the two first ribs, and then runs backwards 

 along the upper part of the thorax, until it reaches the midriff' 

 or diaphragm ; having passed through the latter, it terminates 

 in the digestive canal. 



The oesophagus is composed of three coats ; the outer one is 

 made up of cellular substance, which admits of considerable 

 distention ; the middle coat is muscular, and is composed of two 

 layers, arranged spirally, and running in opposite directions ; 

 that is to say, the fibres wind round the gullet, in contrary di- 

 rections ; this allows or aids the food which has been masticated 

 to pass down the tube into the first compartment of the stomach ; 

 viz., the paunch, and by a reverse action of the other set of 

 spiral muscular fibres, the pellet — cud — ascends into the 

 mouth for remastication. 



The inner or third coat is similar in structure to the pharyn- 

 7* 



