100 THEORY AND PRACTICE 



DISEASES OF THE OESOPHAGUS. 



OESOPHAGITIS. 



Oesophagitis is the inflammation of the oesophagus. 

 Etiology. — This condition is caused by an extension of in- 

 flammation from other parts; by the scalding of the mucosa 

 with caustic drenches ; by external injury, kicks, etc. 



Semeiology. — The symptoms may show a rise of tempera- 

 ture ; difficulty in swallowing is present ; disinclination to eat. 



Treatment. — In an ordinary simple case if you remove the 

 cause, the animal will recover. Give a little antiseptic medicine. 

 A solution of borax, bicarbonate of soda, a mild dose of per- 

 manganate of potash, etc., are good antiseptics. 



Sequelae. — Stricture of the oesophagus may follow its in- 

 flammation. The result is a thickening of the wall with a lessen- 

 ing of the lumen, which in bad cases may amount to stenosis. 

 The wall may be thickened 3-5 times and the lumen not more 

 than 1/2 inch in diameter. The animal cannot swallow. Even 

 if the lumen is an inch in diameter, the food will go down with 

 difficulty, although water may be swallowed easily. The food 

 accumulates above the stricture and this occasions frequent chok- 

 ing. 



Treatment. — Sloppy food or milk is indicated. Take away 

 the solid food. The stricture and dilatation are incurable, and 

 they occur oftener than we imagine. 



In case of oesophagitis from local injury, there is more jv 

 less enlargement in the outside tissues and this causes choke. 

 If the tissues of the oesophageal wall are not destroyed, the 

 case will recover. Injuries from a kick may press the oesophagus 

 against the vertebrae and actually destroy the tissues of the wall 

 without even wounding the overlying skin. Eventually an ellip- 

 tical slough may occur ; the surrounding tissues swell and become 

 doughy. Open up the tissues over the wound and if such is the 

 case, destroy the animal. But if the wall of the oesophagus is 

 only wounded, sew up the lacerated edges, turning them in to- 

 ward the lumen of the oesophagus. If they are left out, they 

 will not adhere. Openings into the oesophagus are usually fatal. 



