In case of the swallowing of a caustic agent, no time should be lost in giving an antidote. For the mineral or caustic organic acids, lime water, magnesia, or other bland basic agent is demanded. For caustic alkalies or basic agents, bland acids, such as vinegar, citric acid, or even a mineral acid very largely diluted will be in order. In both these cases and in that of caustic salts, albuminous and mucilaginous agents, eggs, linseed tea, slippery elm, gums, and well boiled gruels are indicated. To these may be added small doses of laudanum when the irritation is great. Iced drinking water, iced milk, or iced gruels are often soothing to the suffering animal, and cold compresses, snow or ice applied along the jugular furrow is often valuable. To counteract the septic developments on the affected mucous membrane, chlorate of potash, boric acid, salol, naphthalin, naphthol, pyoktannin, or even weak solutions of phenic acid or creolin may be used. In the slighter forms of inflammation or when the acute form threatens to persist, an active counter-irritant of mustard or cantharides may be applied along the jugular furrow. In case of abscess, as manifested by fluctuation following a hard, indurated, painful swelling, a free incision should be followed by frequent injections of antiseptic lotions or by the packing of the cavity with such bland antiseptics as salol, boric acid, or iodoform on cotton. As inflammation subsides, potassium iodide may be given, both as an antiseptic and a resolvent, to counteract the tendency to fibroid contraction and stricture of the gullet. SPASM OF THE ŒSOPHAGUS. ŒSOPHAGISMUS. Causes: nervous disorders or lesions, pharyngeal, œsophagean, or gastric disease, œsophagean parasites, choking, tumors, ulcers, cold drinks. Symptoms: extended drooping head, working jaws, frothing, pawing, attempts at swallowing, alkaline regurgitation, cries, rigid gullet, tenderness. May be paroxysmal with intervening dullness. Treatment: by sound; by removal of obstruction; by antispasmodics. Embrocations. Tonics. _Causes._ This has been noticed as a concomitant of certain diseases of the nervous centres, such as rabies, tetanus, or epilepsy, and those of the pharynx or stomach. Cadeac has seen it in connection with stricture, and the present writer has observed it as a result of larvæ of œstri hooked on to the mucosa above the cardia. It is an important factor in most cases of choking, and may depend on tumors, ulcers, or even cold beverages. Animals with a specially nervous organization are particularly subject to it and it may thus be an hereditary family trait. It has been especially noticed in solipeds and calves.