228 LARGE INTESTINE. 



end called the Cecum. In some animals this is large, and lias 

 considerable length, but in man it is very short. It seems to 

 have been longer in man's ancestors ; for there is a closed pro- 

 longation of the cecum, the Vermiform Appendix. This ap- 

 pendix is frequently the seat of serious or fatal inflammation. 



The large intestine, (joining the small near the lower right 

 side of the abdomen), runs upward (ascending colon), crosses 

 over to the left side (transverse colon), and descends the left 

 side (descending colon), and, after curving somewhat like a 

 letter S (sigmoid flexure), terminates in the rectum. It is 

 well to know the course of the lower bowel, as pressure may 

 be so applied as to push the contents along in case the bowels 

 become torpid. 



Most of the absorption is accomplished in the small intes- 

 tine; but as the food passes on into the large intestine the 

 work of digestion and of absorption are carried somewhat 

 farther. If the residue be not soon expelled, there may be 

 absorption of some of the results of putrefactive changes, and 

 a sort of general poisoning of the whole body. Hence the 

 great importance of regularly and thoroughly emptying the 

 lower bowel. The matter thus expelled is largely made up of 

 indigestible material, with some real waste substances. 



Taking up again our comparison of the body and a furnace, 

 we see that the feces are not true waste products, but are 

 rather clinkers, or material that has not been burned or 

 oxidized in the body. The real wastes of the body are the 

 carbon dioxid, urea, water, etc., that are thrown off by the 

 lungs, kidneys, and skin. 



Constipation. This is a very common disorder, and va- 

 rious evils are attendant upon it, including many headaches 

 and "colds " as well as " piles." Of course, if any trouble of 

 this" kind is long continued or severe, a physician should be 

 consulted. But it is well known that certain foods tend to 



