Esophagitis. Inflammatioji of the Gullet. 87 



than the gullet through which they are passed with great 

 rapidity. In some cases, however, the agent will adhere by reason 

 of its powdery, gummy or balsamic character and will then act as 

 a direct irritant. Solutions of caustic alkalies (weak lye) given 

 to correct acid gastric indigestion in the horse, and ammonia to 

 remedy tympany in cattle, when insufficiently diluted, will 

 dangerously attack the ce-iophagean mucosa. 



Parasitic irritation is not so common here as in other parts of 

 the intestinal canal where the contents are longer delayed and are 

 passed with less friction, yet certain parasites are found in this 

 region and may even produce con.siderable irritation. The gon- 

 gylonema of the thoracic oesophageal! mucosa of ruminants and 

 swine are apparently harmless. The psorospermia of the 

 oesophagean muscles of the same animals are alleged to cause 

 oedema of the glottis, asphyxia and epilepsy. The .spiroptera 

 microstoma of the lior.se has in one instance known to us cau.sed 

 extensive denudation, of the muscular coat within a foot of the 

 cardiac end of the gullet. Finally we have found bots hooked 

 on to the oesophagean mucosa close to the cardia, causing much 

 irritation and spasm. The spiroptera sanguinolenta is often 

 pre.sent in chambers hollowed in the oesophagean mucosa of the 

 dog. 



Traumatic causes appear in the form of contusions and bruises 

 from without, but much more frequently from foreign bodies, and 

 probangs operating from within. The use of a whip or of a rope 

 without a cup-shaped end for the relief of a choked animal. 

 Short of the occurrence of laceratioh this often produces contu- 

 sion and abrasion which results in local inflammation. Even the 

 too forcible dislodgment of a solid body by a probang of approved 

 pattern, may bruise and .scratch the gullet when the seat of violent 

 .spasm. Pins, needles, wire, thorns and other sharp bodies are 

 liable to do .serious damage during their pas,sage in an ordinary 

 bolus and when they transfix the mucosa violent infective in- 

 flammation may ensue. 



Extension inflammations from the throat, and from phlegmous, 

 abscesses, tumors, etc., in the jugular furrow need only be men- 

 tioned in this connection, as the primary disease will be clearly in 

 evidence. 



Lesions. The.se are usually circumscribed when due to a trau- 



