66 THE DISEASES AXD DISOEDERS OF THE OX. 



jections arranged in longitudinal folds or ridges which disappear 

 at the pyloric orifice, the entrance into the intestinal canal. 

 Along these longitudinal folds the true digestive glands are 

 arranged. They are embedded in the mucous membrane, and 

 the function which they discharge is the secretion of the gastric 

 juice. The abomasum is curved upon itself, and elongated 

 from before backwards. It is continuous with the psalterium on 

 the one side and opens into the duodenum on the other. This 

 stomach, the abomasum, as we have said above, is alone to be 

 regarded as the truly digestive stomach. The first three com- 

 partments are to be looked upon in great measure as being 

 specialised dilatations of the oesophagus. The abomasum, on 

 the other hand, is provided with peptic glands, and the secretion 

 which it pours out has an acid reaction. The hard epithelium 

 above-mentioned is not continued beyond the third stomach. 

 The muscular coat of the abomasum is well developed, as also is 

 that of the rumen. 



The right side of the abomasum is situated in the epigastric 

 region, and it comes into relation with the diaphragm, while its 

 left side is in contiguity with the rumen. The greater curvature 

 is turned backwards, and from it the great omentum hangs. 

 The lesser curvature is directed upwards, and it is made fast by 

 means of serous membrane to the greater curvature of the 

 manyplies. The base of the abomasum is in contact with the 

 cul-de-sac of the second compartment, and it is separated from 

 the manyplies by a constriction. The opening into the duode- 

 num is directed upwards and backwards, and it is called the 

 pylorus, and around it the muscle forms a thick sphincter, by 

 means of which the orifice can be closed or opened as occasion 

 may require. The interior of this stomach resembles the villous 

 portion of the stomach of a horse, and the mucous membrane 

 is elevated in the form of oblique folds which extend in a spiral 

 direction from end to end. The serous coat is a continuation 

 of the great omentum. The muscular coat is similar to that of 

 the horse's stomach, and the mucous coat containing the glands 

 and follicles which secrete the gastric juice is covered by 

 a thin layer of epithelium. Regarding the functions of each of 

 the four stomachs, the rumen is the sac where the aliment in- 

 gested during feeding time is collected, and then, more or less 

 softened, transferred to the mouth during rumination. The 



