HORSE'S STOMACH. 



143 



between its ample folds. The constant dryness of its con- 

 tents is, however, I believe, to be attributed more to the effects 

 of compression, and the onward flow of the liquid portions, 

 than to any free absorption. 



Before referring to the function of the true stomach in 

 ruminants, I must refer to the simple gastric cavity of other 

 domestic animals, and to the movements to which the food is 

 subjected within them. 



The stomach, in all monogastric animals, is in reality a 

 dilatation of the alimentary tube. The latter being bent on 

 itself just beyond the diaphragm, and enlarged along the 

 convex margin of the curve thus produced, constitutes the 

 stomach which lies in the fore and left side of the belly, 

 having the gullet entering it on the left or cardiac side 

 (thus called from its proximity to the cardium or heart), and 

 the small intestine issuing from it to the right. The large 

 dilatation near the cardiac opening is called the fundus of 

 the stomach. (See Fig. 74.) 



Fig. 74. 



