. Diseases of cattle, sheep, goats and swine. Veterinary medicine. STRICTURE OF THE (ESOPHAGUS. 149 m. efforts to swallow, which prove unavaiHiig when the contraction is too marked. A reflex antiperistaltic movement often causes the sub- stances ingested to be at once rejected. These violent efforts, however, in time provoke dilatation above the stricture. A quantity of food accumulates in this dilatation, and the symptom so characteristic of cesophageal stricture then appears—viz., regular regurgitation. The second constant symptom associated with compression or obstruction of the oesophagus
. Diseases of cattle, sheep, goats and swine. Veterinary medicine. STRICTURE OF THE (ESOPHAGUS. 149 m. efforts to swallow, which prove unavaiHiig when the contraction is too marked. A reflex antiperistaltic movement often causes the sub- stances ingested to be at once rejected. These violent efforts, however, in time provoke dilatation above the stricture. A quantity of food accumulates in this dilatation, and the symptom so characteristic of cesophageal stricture then appears—viz., regular regurgitation. The second constant symptom associated with compression or obstruction of the oesophagus is tympanites after feeding, however trifling may be the amount swallowed. Eumination is suspended, and even eructation of gas is difficult. Finally, the characteristic sign of stricture is noted on passing the probang, which reveals the existence of the condition, indicates its position, and suggests its degree of development. Diagnosis. Strictures only develop pro- gressively and slowly, a fact which enables them to be differentiated from oesophagitis. It is more difficult to differentiate them from dilatations, because the stricture always ends by becoming complicated with dilata- tion ; but this distinction is of little prac- tical importance, the consequences being identical. Prognosis. The prognosis is very grave, and there is no economic reason for attempt- ing treatment except in special cases ; the indications are in the direction of slaughter. From the economic standpoint there is no treatment. Basing their actions on human practice, the Germans have recom- mended progressive dilatation of the lumen of the oesophagus by passing a series of catheters of gradually increasing size. What, however, is justifiable in human medicine, where the only object is to keep the patient alive at any cost, may be highly objectionable in veterinary practice ; and in the present instance this is the case. Except in very rare instances, which the practitioner alone can apj)reciate, dil
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1920, booksubjectveterin, bookyear1920
