110 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE APPARATUS. 



the existence of dilatation of the tul)e, to which vomiting and regurgitation 

 of food are sometimes due. 



Internal exploration is the only method of detecting changes in the 

 thoracic portion, and may also be utilised to locate lesions in the cervical 

 region. It is practised by passing a sound of small calibre or any 

 flexible cylindrical object, such as a cart rope, etc. The patient must be 

 fixed with the head extended on the neck and a proper gag or speculum 

 introduced into the mouth. Exploration assists us in recognising the 

 existence of inflammation of the oesophagus, true or false contraction, 

 dilatation and the presence of obstructions. 



In animals of the bovine species all these lesions — viz., inflammation 

 of the oesophagus, fissuring and ulceration, obstructions, compressions, 

 dilatations and contractions of the tube — although not very frequent, 

 are nevertheless from time to time encountered. 



Stomach. Exploration of the stomach or of the different gastric 

 compartments presupposes an exact knowledge of the respective positions 

 of the different reservoirs. Topographical anatomy shows that the rumen 

 is situated in the left flank, and that it occupies the whole of the left 

 abdominal region from the diaphragm to the pelvic cavity. As a con- 

 sequence, it may be explored from the region of the twelfth rib ; it is 

 inclined slightly from above downwards, and from left to right, its ex- 

 treme right border extending as far as, or a little beyond, the white line. 



The reticulum, the smallest of the four reservoirs, is situated in the 

 sub-ensiform region at right angles to the median plane of the body. On 

 the left it touches the rumen and the diaphragm ; on the right side it 

 is in contact in front with the diaphragm, above with the omasum, and 

 to the right and towards the rear with the abomasum. The omasum is 

 situated above the reticulum and conical right portion of the rumen ; 

 in front it touches the liver, and towards the back and left the rumen. 

 The abomasum is situated obliquely in the right hypochondriac region, 

 its anterior surface resting on the lower wall of the abdomen towards the 

 middle and right side of the body, its pyloric portion extending upwards, 

 behind the right hypochondriac region. 



Rumen. The rumen can be examined by inspection, palpation, per- 

 cussion, and auscultation. The use of the oesophageal sound and of the 

 trocar and canula is also of value in diagnosis. 



Inspection affords information of a varying character, according to 

 the moment when it is practised, even in a condition of health. It only 

 extends to the condition of the flank before or after a meal, etc., empti- 

 ness of the rumen being accompanied by hollowness of the flank, and 

 distension, following an abundant meal, by fulness in this region. 



When digestion is not proceeding normally, the flank may be distended 

 unduly by gaseous accumulations or by the presence of solid food. In 



