DIGESTIVE SYSTEM. 245 



tain limits) in their respective places; and it strengthens the 

 abdominal cavity altogether by its uninterrupted extension every 

 u'here through and around it. 



Of the Situation of the Viscera of the Abdomen. 



When the cavity of the belly is laid open, the large intestines 

 present themselves first to view ; consequently they are placed 

 undermost when the animal is standing, and are lying imme- 

 diately in contact with the abdominal muscles. About the middle 

 of the cavity, the apex of the coecum is seen protruding from the 

 body of the intestine of that name, which is extended to the right 

 side, encircled by the colon. Generally speaking, the small in- 

 testines are not seen on first reflecting the muscular flaps : this, 

 however, will depend on the state of the large ; for if they are 

 flaccid some of the small guts will insinuate themselves between 

 the coecum and colon : should we not see them, however, in the 

 first instance, they may at once be brought into view by turning 

 the coecum to the right side. 



The STOMACH is principally lodged in the left hypochondriac 

 region, though a part of it extends into the epigastric, and there 

 crosses the spine. Its anterior or convex part lies against the 

 diaphragm and the false ribs of the left side ; its posterior or 

 concave part is concealed by the intestines ; its lower surface is 

 invested by omentum ; its left extremity has the spleen attached 

 to it, which viscus also extends along its great curvature; and 

 its right end is in contact with the left and middle lobes of the 

 liver. 



Prior to proceeding to the situation and course of the intestines, 

 it becomes necessary to anticipate a little in our descriptions, by 

 observing here, that anatomists have divided these viscera into 

 small and large ; and that the former, beginning from the sto- 

 mach, comprehend three subdivisions — the duodenum, jejunum, 

 and ileum; the latter, commencing from the termination of tlu; 

 small, likewise three — the cacum, colon, and rectum. 



The duodenum takes its beginning from the right extre- 

 mity of the stomach, and soon after forms a curvature around the 

 head of the pancreas; having the liver above, and the great arch 

 of the colon below it. Havmg reached the concave part of the 

 liver, it makes a sudden turn backward and to the right, and be- 

 comes attached to the right kidney ; lastly, it crosses the spine, 

 between the roots of the mesentery and mesocolon, to the left 

 side, where it takes the name of jejimum. This gut, during its 

 course, is so closely bound down by peritoneum, that its motions 

 must prove excccduig limited ; so that it will always bear pretty 



