DISEASES OF THE ŒSOPHAGUS. 



51 



5. Paralysis of the Œsophagus : Paralytic Dysphagia. 



Paresis and paralysis of the œsophagus are very rare. They 

 seem to be under the influence of lesions of the nervous centres. 

 Straub, who has observed two cases of this kind, ascribes them to 

 an anterior cerebral disturbance; Hering^ remarks that paralysis 

 is sometimes a subacute symptom of encephalitis. 



The paralyzed œsophagus is filled from one end to the other 

 with alimentary matters, and forms a large cylindrical cord in the 

 left jugular groove. The other symptoms are those of constric- 

 tion. When the trouble is symptomatic of a lesion of the en- 

 cephalon, we find, besides, cerebral nervous trouble. 



The treatment should be restricted to frequent use of the sound 

 and to an application of revulsives. Administration of strychnine 

 salts might also be tried. 



We must not confound inability to drink with paralysis of the 

 œsophagus. Animals apparently perfectly healthy and swallow- 

 ing solid food without difficulty, find it impossible to perform 

 suction. This condition is almost always congenital and results 

 from functional defect. This defect is found in sucklings as well 

 as in adults ; it exists more in horses than in other animals. 

 Straub'^ has described such a case. We have treated an eight-year- 

 old horse, which was brought to us with the remark : " He drinks 

 like a dog.^' This horse swallowed food very well, and was eager 

 for water ; when it was presented to him he performed a kind of 

 smacking with his lips, lapped with his tongue, and chattered 

 with his teeth, but without being able to swallow a mouthful of 

 water. He was given liquid food only. 



6. Spasm of the (Esophagus : Œsophagism. 



Primitive spasmodic constriction of the œsophagus (dysphagia 

 spastica) is very rare in comparison with symptomatic spasmodic 

 contractions, with which they are often confounded. Spasmodic 

 conditions similar to neurosis, defined under the name of œsophag- 

 ism, are often produced by an obstructing bolus in the œsophagus, 

 a wound, or an ulcer of this canal. 



Idiophatic spasm of the œsophagus has been found in two horses 

 by Mollereau ; Guilmot observed it in a horse affected by gastric 



^ Hering : Pathology, 1858. 



2 Straub : Eepertor., 1880. 



