14 THE COMMON COLICS OF THE HORSE 



and, bending to the left, forms its supvastevnal flexure ; the 

 second portion is continued from here, running backwards 

 and upwards into the left flank, turning inwards opposite 

 the pelvis and close up against the spine to form the pelvic 

 flexure ; now follows the third portion, running forwards 

 above the second and attached to it by peritoneum ; when 

 it reaches the diaphragm it makes a curve to the right, 

 the diaphragmatic flexure, followed by the fourth portion, 

 which is attached by peritonem to the first, and reaches 

 posteriorly to the base of the caecum, where it terminates 

 in the single colon. This crosses to the left side beneath 

 the first lumbar and last dorsal vertebrae, being attached 

 by peritoneum to the crura of the diaphragm and the 

 mesenteric vessels. The double colon at its origin is 

 very small, but it quickly enlarges, and at the supra- 

 sternal flexure is of considerable size ; at its pelvic curve 

 it is greatly reduced in volume, but at the diaphragmatic 

 flexure it again enlarges, and close to where it terminates 

 in the single colon attains its largest size, and then suddenly 

 contracts to form the single colon. These differences in 

 the volume of the colon are of direct practical interest. 

 The pelvic curvature and the single colon are the most 

 frequent seats of obstruction from calculi, gravel, etc., 

 which have passed with ease along the more dilated 

 portion of the canal. 



The Single Colon lies in the left flank, is suspended 

 from the spine by peritoneum, and extends to the pelvis, 

 where it becomes continuous with the rectum. 



The Liver is situated principally in the right hypo- 

 chondriac region, and is placed obliquely from above 

 downwards from right to left. Its anterior face is applied 

 against the diaphragm, its posterior against the stomach 

 and intestines. The upper extremity of the right lobe is 

 in apposition with the right kidney at the space between 



