Elementary Anatomy of a Hound 49 



at the anus, which is encircled by muscle fibres 

 forming a sphincter, internally and externally — the 

 sphincter ani intemus and extemus. The rectum 

 is short, though nevertheless a common seat of 

 disease. 



The stomach and small intestine are more con- 

 cerned with digestion than the large bowel, and food 

 remains many hours in the former. 



Strictly speaking, digestion begins at the mouth 

 and ends at the rectum. 



The Pancreatic Gland. — This organ is of a pale 

 pink colour and commonly known as the sweetbread. 

 It is six or seven inches in length and placed between 

 the stomach, beginning of the small intestine, liver, 

 and large intestine, on the right and left of these 

 organs. 



As previously stated, it secretes the pancreatic 

 fluid, and pours this into the beginning of the small 

 bowel (duodenum) for digestive purposes. 



It is a colourless viscid liquid very much akin to 

 that of saliva and has about 90 % of water in it. 

 It converts the starchy food into sugar, and also acts 

 upon the fats. The functions of the bile have already 

 been referred to. The organ last named, i.e.^ the 

 liver, consists of six lobes, and is placed immediately 

 behind the diaphragm or midriff, though in front of 

 the stomach. Its normal colour is a chocolate-red, 

 and it is maintained in its proper place by ligaments, 



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