Is an opposite, though very rare affection, which is also the cause of death in some instances. The dilatation may be complete through the whole length, cases having been observed in which it had increased to the size of a man's arm; or it may be confined to a small portion. Sometimes it exists in the form of a large sac connected with the oesophagus by a small opening through which the food passes, being retained in the sac instead of passing down to the stomach. In cases of the latter sort the food is retained in the cavities described until it undergoes decomposition, when it is expelled during attempts at swallowing. The treatment of this disease is very unsatisfactory, no remedy being in any great degree successful. In bad cases the only way of supporting the life of the patient is by passing food into the stomach by a tube, or by rectal alimentation.