114 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE APPARATUS. 



of the reticulum, lying deep down on the right side, behind the diaphragm, 

 under the hypochondrium, and above the abomasum and reticulum. 



It is the only gastric compartment which cannot be examined, although 

 when impacted it may be felt on the right side. 



Abomasum. The abomasum is lodged in the lower part of the right 

 flank under the circle of the hypochondrium. It extends obliquely from 

 below, upwards from the sub-ensiform to the sub-lumbar region. The 

 smaller curvature is turned towards the rumen on the left side ; the larger 

 curvature is in contact with the abdominal wall. In spite of what has so 

 often been stated by those who have never seen it, the abomasum can be 

 examined and is accessible along the circle of the hypochondrium. 



In adults useful information can rarely be obtained by inspection; 

 but in sucking calves the abomasum, if distended by indigestion, gastro- 

 enteritis, etc., sometimes appears prominently in the right abdominal 

 region. Palpation wdth the fingers or with the fist will detect exag- 

 gerated sensibilty, irritation, inflammation, or distension. 



Percussion and auscultation furnish no very precise information. The 

 information obtained by the above-described examination of the stomach 

 is in practice amplified by a search for certain symptoms which are usually 

 easy to detect. They comprise : 



(a) Suppression or irregularity of rumination. This very important 

 symptom suggests the degree of gravity of the digestive disturbance, and 

 to some extent the gravity of the general condition. Suppressed rumina- 

 tion is a common symptom in many diseases, some of which are purely 

 digestive, though all are not. It is, however, a grave sign in most cases. 



(b) Eructation, which is usually frequent, may be regarded as normal 

 provided the exhaled gas preserves the fresh odour of grass or of the food 

 swallowed, like brewers' grains, turnips, etc. Sometimes the gas is sour, 

 acid, foetid, or putrid, all of which conditions indicate disease. 



(c) Yawning is not common. It becomes frequent and attracts 

 attention in certain abnormal conditions ; in others, again, it may be 

 completely suppressed. 



(d) Nausea and vomiting are rare. Vomiting is commoner in calves, 

 and results from inability to digest the milk, or simply to over-distension 

 of the abomasum. The matter vomited by adults usually consists of 

 partly masticated food, and is derived from the rumen ; while the con- 

 tents of the abomasum are occasionally rejected, in which case the 

 material is of pulpy consistence and has an acid smell. 



(e) Digestive disturbance is sometimes accompanied by various modi- 

 fications in the breathing, such as immobilisation of the hypochondriac 

 region and of the diaphragm ; abnormal sensibility and reflex coughing 

 on palpation, and, in inflammation of the reticulum due to foreign 

 bodies, costal respiration. 



