320 ON STRICTURE IN THE OESOPHAGUS OF THE COW. 
have been very extensive— he never met with more than one 
case of this affection in the cow. Seeing, then, that so little is 
said respecting the existence of such a disease in the above- 
named animal, I may deem it a sufficient apology in thus 
venturing to give you the history of a case, together with a few 
observations upon the subject — a subject so palpably overlooked, 
and at the same time, I may say, so intimately connected with 
our interests, that it cannot fail of proving of some little utility. 
The cow affected, as I have intimated, was the property of 
William Brook, Esq., one of the magistrates of this borough. 
The history of the case is as follows : The animal was in the daily 
habit of receiving an allotted portion of cut turnips in a raw state, 
and on one evening, about two or three weeks after Christmas 
last, the usual quantity was placed before her, and after she had 
eaten about one-third of the whole she suddenly exhibited 
symptoms of choking. The abdomen became greatly distended, 
while, every four or five minutes, the hind extremities were brought 
forwards, the back thrown into an arch, and the muzzle protruded 
as though the animal was endeavouring to vomit. These violent 
symptoms in part subsided ; but for some weeks after, whenever 
she took food, they returned with more or less violence. Some- 
times, in consequence of eating, the animal would be thrown into 
such agony, that she would leap or place her fore feet upon the 
rack from which she fed, and, after violently straining for a con- 
siderable time, vomit every thing back again. She would then 
resume her natural position, as though nothing was the matter. 
A cowleech residing somewhere in the country was at this time 
entrusted with the management of her, but all the medicine he 
administered was a pint of castor oil. He saw the case was a 
perplexing one, so he altogether abandoned it. For a time, 
however, the animal appeared to have recovered. Her food was 
masticated and properly swallowed, and for two or three weeks 
all was going on well, when a relapse took place, and most of 
what she ate was again vomited. Such was the account l 
received from the man who desired my attendance ; and ac- 
cordingly 1 lost no time in proceeding to make an examination, 
and ascertain, if possible, the disease under which the animal 
laboured. 
I found her pulse beating with moderate regularity, but feeble. 
She was in very fair condition, and lively in appearance ; 
in short, after the most rigid examination, I was unable to 
detect the least constitutional derangement, save the existence of 
a slight degree of debility. She appeared desirous of food, and 
I requested some to be given, in order that 1 might perceive its 
effects upon her, and whether vomiting would be produced. A small 
