DOGS! THEIR MANAGEMENT. 247 



size from the commencement to the termination ; the 

 duodenum and the most posterior portion of the rectum 

 being the largest, though not so much so as materially to 

 destroy the appearance of uniformity. The csecum is no 

 more than a small appendage a little sac attached to 

 the main tube ; it has but one opening, and that is very 

 diminutive. I think all the food, as in other animals, 

 passes into and out of this intestine ; which, because of 

 its peculiar formation, is therefore particularly liable 

 to be disordered. In the dog which has died of intes- 

 tinal disease, the caecum is almost invariably found 

 enlarged and inflamed. In it, I imagine, the majority 

 of bowel affections have their origin. The gut is 

 first loaded, and the consequence of this is, it loses 

 its natural function. The contents become irritants from 

 being retained, and the whole process of digestion is 

 deranged ; other parts are involved, and inflammation 

 is induced. 



Writers do not notice the tendency of the caecum to be, 

 diseased, or remark upon its disposition to exhibit signn 

 of alteration ; but the fact being so obvious, I wonder it 

 should have escaped observation. 



COSTIVENESS is, in some measure, natural to the dog, 

 and in that animal is hardly to be viewed as a disease. 

 In health, the faeces are not expelled without considera- 

 ble straining, and the matter voided ought to be of a solid 

 character. It nevertheless should not be absolutely hard, 

 or positively dry, for in that case the want of moisture 

 shows the natural secretion of the rectum is deficient ; the 



