DIGESTION 



219 



first colon the food is fairly firm, and the particles of corn, etc., 

 can be readily recognised ; in the second colon the material is 

 becoming more fluid, while at [the pelvic flexure the contents are 

 invariably in a liquid, pea-soup-like condition, and the particles 

 of which they are composed are not readily recognised. In the 

 third colon the material becomes firmer, but only slightly so, and 

 bubbles of gas are being constantly given off from its surface ; 



Fig. 77. — Position of the Cecum and Double Colon on the Floor of the 

 Abdomen seen from Below. 



The point of the Ccccum is directed towards the sternum. The abdomen has 

 spread open in front owing to the needful dissection. It should be egg- 

 shaped, the narrow end foremost. 



in the fourth colon the entire ingesta are like thick soup, and the 

 material composing them is in a finely comminuted condition, 

 the surface being covered with gas bubbles. For the first foot 

 or so of the single colon this condition is maintained, when quite 

 suddenly the contents are found solid and formed into balls. 

 The remarkable suddenness of this change is invariable in a 

 state of health, and indicates either most active absorption, or 



