the action of swallowing. See ANATOMY, No. 308.

A difficulty of swallowing may be caused, 1st, By ulcers of the oesophagus; in which case, there will be frequent vomiting of blood, and other kinds of matter. 2dly, A scirrhouss bronchocele. 3dly, A thickening of the mucous in the oesophagus. 4thly, Indurations of the oesophagus. 5thly, A fungus in the oesophagus. 6thly, A sacculus formed by some hard substance lodging a little time in the oesophagus, and weakening its coats. 7thly, By spasms.

When anything 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.