730 
OBSTRUCTION IN THE (ESOPHAGUS, 
neither long nor strong enough to overcome the resistance. Recourse 
was then had to the one usually employed for cattle, and, for greater 
security, I had our patient cast. 
She was thrown on her right side, and the bulbous extremity of 
the probang introduced. The bran had absorbed a considerable 
quantity of the mucus secreted by the follicular glands, and had 
swelled, and become so impacted, as to withstand more than ordi- 
nary force. At length, however, it suddenly gave way, and the 
whole passed freely into the stomach. 
On withdrawing the end of the tube from the mouth, but with- 
out any force or difficulty, a small quantity of blood gushed from 
the nostrils, and, the muzzle being in a somewhat elevated position, 
a portion of it flowed down the windpipe. There was every ap- 
pearance of her being immediately suffocated. She was freed from 
the hobbles as quickly as possible, and got upon her legs, when 
she manifested all those distressing symptoms that usually take 
place on a small quantity of fluid passing down the trachea. 
On recovering a little, she was led to the stable, and made to 
inhale the steam from bran and boiling water. She gradually ral- 
lied, especially after I had taken from her about three quarts of 
blood ; but the characteristic gurgling in these cases was still to be 
heard at the chest. As soon as I had satisfied myself of her 
capability of swallowing, I administered six drachms of spirit of 
nitrous ether, well mixed with linseed oil, and placed a rowel in 
her chest. 
8 th . — The pulse is small and quick. The discharge from the 
nostrils, which was yesterday in great quantity, and of a semi- 
sanguineous nature, was now altogether suspended. There were, 
however, symptoms of irritability and general fever about her 
which I did not like. She was bled to the amount of four quarts ; 
a blister was applied from the throat to the chest, and also on 
both of her sides. Half doses of sedative medicine were given to 
her twice in the day. 
9 th . — The breath is exceedingly offensive, but the discharge 
from the nostrils is free, and of a better consistence. The pulse 
continues small and quick, but the respiration is very little acce- • 
lerated. Neither the rowel nor the blister has acted. Blisters reap- 
plied. Aperient injections. Chloride of lime placed occasionally 
under the nostrils. Sedatives discontinued. 
KM. — The disease is fast assuming a most malignant type. 
Much enlargement around the lower part of the blisters. Give 
Mindererus’s spirit three times in the day, with gruel, &c. Con- 
tinue to apply the chloride of lime. She rallied considerably towards 
the evening. 
1 \th . — There is a great flow of coffee-coloured fluid from the 
