AND CATTLE DOCTOR^ 135 



OF THE. 



INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF THE COW, 



AND THE ECONOMY OF 



THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM 



In. the brief outline we are about to give of the inter- 

 nal structure of neat cattle, we shall not enter into an 

 anatomical dissertation ; but merely describe so much 

 of the digestive system as will enable the reader to 

 comprehend the ruminating process ; by which means 

 he will not only be the better qualified to prevent many- 

 complaints to which neat cattle are subject from im- 

 proper treatment, but he will also be the better ena- 

 bled to understand the symptoms of the complaints 

 with which they may be attacked, and to adopt, with 

 greater probabilities of success, the prescribed methods 

 of cure. 



Neat cattle belonpj to the ruminatinor tribe of ani- 

 mals ; that is, they masticate or chew their food a 

 second time, and then in a more perfect manner ; 

 thereby obtaining from it every possible particle of 

 nourishment.' For this purpose they are furnished 

 with four distinct stomachs, into which their food 

 passes in the several stages of digestion. These will 

 be more fully explained. 



When neat cattle first swallow their food, it passes 

 down their throats in very coarse and large mouthfuls ; 

 when they have taken enough in this state, they lie 



