THE KCW-COtfTAGIOUS DISEASES. 201 



every spasm of the diaphragm being conveyed to the 

 stomach is flashed over the nerve-fibers to the vocal 

 cords and they contract, closing the space between 

 them. 



Hiccough usually stops without attention. Some- 

 times the trouble is persistent and is said to cause 

 death. Hiccough never causes death. It is only a 

 symptom. It is the septic condition of the digestive 

 tract that causes death. Free elimination will usually 

 relieve the trouble. 



Hiccough may be caused by inflammation of the 

 upper part of the spinal cord, as that part of the cord 

 situated in the neck sends out the nerves which pass 

 downward through the chest cavity and supply the 

 diaphragm, and the inflammation might so irritate and 

 excite these nerves as to cause spasmodic action, as de- 

 scribed. 



A tumor in the lungs may cause pressure upon these 

 nerves and result in irritation and spasm. The same 

 nerve that supplies the lungs also supplies the stomach, 

 and through the solar plexus communicates with the 

 nerve supplying the diaphragm; hence the irritation 

 from a tumor in any part of the lungs may cause spasm 

 and hiccough. 



Hiccough may result from a strangulated hernia, be- 

 cause the nerves which supply the digestive tract also 

 communicate with the solar plexus and thus with the 

 diaphragm. 



Peritonitis or inflammation of the thin membrane 

 which surrounds the digestive tract may also cause 

 hiccough. 



