SOCIETY" MEETINGS. 
529 
through the oesophagus in response to direct disturbance of the 
brain, or from reflex irritation,” although witnessed in the hu¬ 
man race as an accompanying symptom of many disordered con¬ 
ditions, is symptomatic of none, while in the equine race it is 
said to occur only as a symptom of a grave lesion, some authori¬ 
ties going so far as to assert that “ it only takes place at the time 
of, and as symptomatic rupture either of the stomach, dia- 
phraghm or colon ; that, in cases of gastritis arising from what¬ 
soever cause, attempts at voinition may be witnessed, but the act 
itself is not accomplished.” 
“ It has been noticed to take place in cattle suffering from in¬ 
digestion and parturient apoplexy.” 
It is said that “ it may take place when the stomach is dis¬ 
tended with food which is undergoing; fermentation.” In consid- 
ering the anatomical structure of the stomach it seems to me 
that the greater the distention, either by food or gases, the more 
constricted will be the oesophageal orifice, and hence the less 
chance of the ingesta being returned. Why the act should be a 
sequelae of rupture of the colon or diaphragm 1 cannot under¬ 
stand, but think it might follow partial rupture of the stomach, 
especially if paralysis of the oesophagus existed, providing the 
rupture took place at the lesser curvature of the organ, and in¬ 
volved the muscular fibers which act as a sphincter to the distal 
end of the oesophagus. But I should think that a rupture would 
be more apt to occur at the greater curvature of the organ and be 
followed by the escape of its contents into the abdominal cavity. 
“ Constriction of the pyloric orifice is also mentioned as a con¬ 
dition which might cause vomition.” Also “ Jabot,” which is a 
dilated condition of some portion of the oesophagus. 
Physiologically considered, it is said that the act is rendered 
difficult because of the nonsusceptibility to nauseants. Although 
the susceptibility may be slight, I have certainly seen well marked 
nauseant effects from the administration of chloral and of aloes. 
The following interesting cases, which were witnessed not 
only by myself, but also by several other gentlemen, go to show 
that the act can be accomplished, and the recovery be rapid and 
complete : 
