50 



DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE APPARATUS. 



this latter affection ; in order to possess this value, however, it 

 must not be accompanied by other digestive troubles. 



Treatment. This belongs to the domain of surgery, and 

 requires a frequent use of the œsophageal sound. This method 

 is especially applicable, in constriction by compression, in the ox. 

 Sounds of graded sizes might also be resorted to. Dietetic indi- 

 cations are the same as for oesophageal ectasia. 



4. Perforation of the Œsophagus. 



This accident is commonly due to foreign bodies swallowed and 

 stopped in the œsophagus, or to unskilful manipulations with the 

 sound, sometimes resulting in laceration of the jabot. The symp- 

 toms are different, according to the location of the perforation in 

 the cervical or thoracic portion. In the first case, the discharged 

 alimentary matters soon form a tumor, which may become enor- 

 mous, and always produces a phlegmonous inflammation. Deglu- 

 tition is impossible ; there is a regurgitation of food and drink 

 through the mouth and nose. Penetration of air in the peri- 

 pharyngeal connective tissue may sometimes determine a diffuse 

 emphysematous congestion of the neck, head, and shoulders. 

 Formation of an œsophageal tracheal fistula has been observed. 

 The expired air then often has a gangrenous odor. 



Rupture of the thoracic portion is still more serious. The 

 patients are taken with vertigo, fall on the ground, and present 

 all the symptoms of an intense pulmonary congestion or of severe 

 attacks of colic. We observe trembling, nausea, anxious expres- 

 sion of the face, violent contraction of the muscles of the head and 

 neck ; if the animals stand, or regain the standing position, the 

 head will be much extended upon the neck and shoulders. 

 (Franzen.) Pneumothorax is not rare. Symptoms of suppura- 

 tive pleuritis soon appear, and death follows within a short time. 



There is nothing to be attempted for perforation of the jabot 

 taking place within the thorax. But when the rupture has its 

 seat upon the cervical portion of the œsophagus we might per- 

 form a lengthy incision in the tumor, and trim and suture the lips 

 of the œsophageal wound. (See Sonders' case, mentioned by 

 Stockfleth.i) 



1 The Veterinarian, 1851. 



