340 ANATOMY OF THE DOG. 



THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM. 



The domach of this animal is extremely powerful in dissolving 

 bones, but it is also very liable to sickness, and on the slightest 

 disturbance rejects its contents. This appears to be almost a 

 natural effect, and not a diseased or disordered condition, as there 

 is scarcely a dog which does not wilfully produce vomiting 

 occasionally by swallowing grass. Few medicines which are at 

 all irritating will remain down, and a vast number which are 

 supposed to be given are not retained on the stomach, while others 

 are only partially so. The bowels are extremely liable to 

 become costive, which is in great measure owing to the want of 

 proper exercise, and this also is very apt to produce torj)idity 

 of the liver. It may, however, be observed that in almost all 

 particulars, except the tendency to vomit, the digestive organs of 

 the dog resemble those of man. 



THE HEART AND LUNGS. 



There is nothing whatever remarkable in the heart and Imigs ; 

 but the blood-vessels, like those of most of the lowei animals, 

 are so elastic in their coats that they quickly contract when 

 divided, and a fatal bleeding rarely results. 



