148 CLINICAL DIAGNOSTICS. 



Palpation. The object of palpation is to ascertain the 

 consistency of the bowel contents and whether or not painful 

 conditions exist. In ruminants the peristaltic motion of the 

 paunch can also be observed by palpation. Palpation of the 

 bowels per rectum is of especial value in large animals. 



In horses the abdominal walls are thick and tense ; this 

 and the fact that during aji examination the animals frequent- 

 ly contract the'ir abdominal muscles increases the difficulty of 

 arriving at accurate results in judging of the condition of 

 the abdominal organs, their contents, etc. In cattle the ab- 

 dominal walls are thinner, hence the results of palpation are 

 more accurate and satisfactory ; in sheep this is true to a still 

 greater degree. 



Dogs habitually contract the abdominal walls when these 

 are manipulated, but soon relax them again. In dogs both 

 sides are palpated simultaneously, and by exerting pressure 

 from both sides toward the median line the entire abdominal 

 cavity may be thoroughly examined. 



Palpation serves in the first place to inform us as to the 

 degree of contraction (the tenseness of the abdominal walls 

 and the consistency of the bowel contents ; the latter should be 

 soft and easily compressible. If impressions are made by pres- 

 sure they should soon be effaced by the effects of peristalsis. 

 Large quantities of fluid bow£l contents produce fluctuation. 

 NeoftDrraatlons (tunaors) are Tecognized by the extreme resist- 

 ance tliey oif er to pressure. In dogs accumulated fecal masses 

 [and intussuscepted intestines] can readily be felt. Foreign 

 bodies in the stomach and intestines can also be detected by 

 palpation providing the normal bowel contents are previously 

 •evacuated [medicines or clysters]. 



Another object of palpation is to ascertain painful condi-, 

 tions ,or abnormal sensitiveness. Even healthy horses are 

 often extremely sensitive to pressure exerted on the abdomen 

 and become restless when subjected to such an examination. 

 Care must therefore be observed not to mistake these symp- 



