278 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 



chief portion of it lies behind and rather above the stomach. 

 Its anterior end comes in contact with the left lobe of the 

 liver ; its posterior is connected to the left kidney, and con- 

 cealed by the convolutions of the colon. The particular 

 use of the spleen has never been yet satisfactorily ascer- 

 tained. 



Great enlargement and also rupture of the spleen has 

 been noticed after the death of horses ; but nothing is 

 known of the causes nor the symptoms which indicate 

 disease of this organ. 



THE PANCREAS. 



This organ is situated between the stomach and left 

 kidney. It lies across the spine, within the epigastric 

 region, underneath the crura of the diaphragm, immediately 

 behind and a little above the small curvature of the stomach. 

 Its structure bears a strong resemblance to that of the 

 salivary glands, contiguous to the mouth, and secretes a 

 fluid very much resembling common saliva. This fluid is 

 conducted into the intestines by a duct, which enters at the 

 same aperture with that which proceeds from the liver. 

 There is every reason to believe that this fluid aids diges- 

 tion, but in what way has not been ascertained. 



THE DIAPHRAGM, OR MIDRIFF. 



The cavity of the chest consists of two compartments, 

 and the division or separating wall between which is called 

 the diaphragm, as more fully described, page 270. See 

 fig. 2, i, i, and fig. 1, h. 



THE KIDNEYS. 



These are two somewhat oval, reddish-coloured bodies, 

 which occupy the back part of the abdomen, and are 



