18 COMPENDIUM OF THE VETERINARY ART. 



cessary in order to separate them from such as 

 are useless ; this seems to be effected by the 

 bile and pancreatic juice*. 



There is a peculiarity, however, in the sto- 

 mach and intestines of the horse, which it is 

 proper here to describe. The stomach of the 

 horse is small in proportion to his general 

 bulk, and has nearly half of its inner surface 

 covered with a stronc: insensible membrane of 

 a white colour. This is the part to which botts 

 are generally attached, which explains why 

 these worms so often exist in the stomach 

 without doing any mischief. This insensible 

 membrane is supposed also to enable the 

 stomach to press upon the solid food it may 

 contain, and assist the gastric juice in re- 

 ducing it to a soft mass : but diixestion is far 

 from being perfect in the stomach of the 

 horse, and appears to be completed in the 

 large intestines, ccecum and colon. This con- 

 trivance seems absolutel}' necessary in the 

 horse, when we consider the wonderful speed 

 and exertion of which he is capable, and for 

 which Nature appears to have designed him. 



* This opinion hzis been proved by the experiments of i\Ir, 

 Astley Cooper, lecturer on anatomy and surgery, and assist- 

 ant surgeon of St. Tiiomab's Hospital. 



