There is still much discussion as to whether the spasm in cases of so-called "cardiospasm" with large dilatation of the esophagus is located at the diaphragmatic region or at the cardiac region. My personal researches on the subject allow me to draw certain conclusions, which seem to throw a new light on the mechanism of the spasm.
Jackson1 was the first to suggest that a "phrenospasm" occurred in these cases; his studies were made with the esophagoscope.
Guisez,2 in his book on the subject, spoke at one time of "phrenospasm" and at another time of "cardiospasm," but he does not seem to be any more in favor of one theory than of the other. Sargnon,3 although he is a partisan of the congenital theory of Bard, does not even discuss the seat of the spasm.
The question has, however, been thoroughly discussed by English specialists.
William