DEGLUTITION, the action of swallowing. See ANATOMY, no 368.
A difficulty of swallowing may be caused, 1st, By ulcers of the œsophagus; in which case, there will be frequent vomiting of blood, and other kinds of matter. 2dly, A scirrhus bronchocele. 3dly, A thickening of the mucus in the œsophagus. 4thly, Indurations of the œsophagus. 5thly, A fungus in the œsophagus. 6thly, A facculus formed by some hard substance lodging a little time in the œsophagus, and weakening its coats. 7thly, By spasms.
When any thing sticks in its passage into the stomach, the best method is to relieve the patient with the greatest speed, by drawing it up, or pushing it down into the stomach.