A case of bacterial endocarditis which proved fatal in a 65-year-old edentulous male Caucasian with rheumatic valvular heart disease is reported. This occurred following dilatation of a benign oesophageal stricture with a Hurst mercury bougie. Transient low grade bacteraemia following upper gastrointestinal intubation is well documented but we are not aware of any published reports on bacterial endocarditis following this procedure and the possible implications of this case are discussed.