Abstract
The general knowledge of the contractions of the esophagus is confined to the peristaltic movements, that is, the consecutive contractions of the successive parts of the esophagus following a normal deglutition, or, as it was described by Meltzer at a previous meeting of this society, after an injection of liquid or insufflation of air directly into the esophagus. A simultaneous contraction of the entire esophagus can be produced only by stimulating the peripheral end of the vagus when cut in the neck.
The authors discovered that in dogs a tetanic contraction of the entire esophagus can be caused also by reflex ways. When the vagus is cut in any part of the neck, an electric stimulation of its central end causes a prompt longitudinal and circular contraction of the entire esophagus, which lasts as long as the stimulation continues. Particulars and other interesting facts connected with this observation will be reported later.
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