PHYSIC. '11 



tremity a fleshy screen, which hangs pendulous from the bony roof. 

 This soft palate explains why the quadruped, under ordinary circum- 

 stances, breathes only through the nose ; and why, when it vomits, the 

 regurgitated matter is ejected by the nostrils. That specialty is of serv- 

 ice, however, during the act 9f imbibition. The posterior entrance to 

 the nasal chamber being open and the head in a pendulous position, 

 were there no special provision to the contrary, the water, after hav- 

 ing passed the mouth, would, from the mere force of gravity, have 



Fig. 1. 



SIAQRAH, (FIO. 1,) EXPLANATORY OF TEE COMPOUND ACT OF DRINKING IN THE HORSE. 



a a. The water drawn into the mouth and forced into the fauces by the compression of the forward part 

 of the tongue and the enlargement of the backward portion of the organ. 

 6 6. The fluid passing down the oesophagus or gullet. 

 c. The larynx, lowered to admit the passage of the liquid. 

 dd. The tongue, dilated at one place and contracted at another. 

 e. The soft pedate, floated upward and effectually closing the nasal passages. 



a tendency to return by the nostrils. This actually occurs whenever 

 cold, strangles, influenza, sore throat, etc. interferes with the activity or 

 the health of these parts now under consideration. Disease renders the 

 organ sensitive, and tenderness makes the animal exert its volition to 

 prevent the employment of the inflamed structure. In consequence of 

 this cause, the nasal chambers are imperfectly closed, and a great por- 

 tion of the fluid imbibed by the mouth flows forth again through the 



