SACCULOUS DILATATION OF THE (ESOPHAGUS. 
of the tumour, its not yielding to any of the forms of treat- 
ment which had been adopted, all led me to the conclusion 
that this tumour was of morbid growth, and one of rare kind. 
I now began to feel more interest in the case, and being 
desirous of learning, as far as possible, whether this enlarge- 
ment interfered with the process of deglutition or not, I 
offered the animal some water, of which he drank. Every 
time the horse swallowed there was a peculiar spasmodic 
action of the muscles of the neck, which led me to conclude 
that the diseased condition of the parts must be connected, in 
some way or other, with the oesophagus. Solid food gave 
the same indications, but in a more marked degree. Every 
muscle which could assist in forcing the food down the 
oesophageal canal w 7 as brought into active use. This was 
so plain and clear that all the men had noticed it, and said 
at once , i£ the horse always seems as though he was a little 
bit choked when he swallows.” The muscular actions were 
very peculiar, and worthy of especial attention. They had 
precisely the action of the oesophagus in kind, but were more 
energetic and sudden, appearing more like spasmodic action 
of the contractile tissues, commencing just below 7 the angle 
of the lower jaw, and extending dowmwards until they gra- 
dually became lost near the breast. These actions appeared 
to be as regular and as involuntary as those of the proper 
contractile texture of the oesophagus. Into the most pro- 
minent part of this morbid growth I inserted an exploring 
needle, to which, after carefully withdrawing, I found a very 
small portion of very fine fibrous vegetable matter attached 
within its groove. From a careful consideration of the above 
symptoms, but more particularly of the last, I thought I 
was justified in forming the following opinion : — that it was 
a case of dilatation of the oesophagus, and this (of course) pre- 
ceded by contraction of a part of the canal immediately 
below. 
I stated my opinion of the nature of the case to the 
owner, and the impossibility of cure by any medicine or 
external application. The proprietor, however, was anxious 
something should be done. I therefore recommended an 
operation as the only chance, to w 7 hich he readily consented. 
Iiis medical adviser, J. Idowit, Esq., of Lincoln, expressed 
an interest in the case, and kindly assisted me in the opera- 
tion. The horse was removed to my stables ; a day was 
fixed ; and the animal, after being prepared in the usual 
way, w 7 as cast and firmly secured. 
I commenced the operation by making a bold incision 
through the skin in a line with the trachea, over its most 
