Torsion of the Stomach in the Dog. 185 



This has been demonstrated by Kitt and Cadeac who believe 

 that it is quite a common occurrence. 



Causes. The predisposing cause is the extreme mobility of the 

 canine stomach which hangs from the oesophagus like a pear from 

 its stalk, the remainder of the viscus being only attached to the 

 loose omentum, spleen, and commencement of the duodenum all 

 of which it can carry with it easily when it rolls on itself. Its 

 mobility is, however, very restricted when full, the liver on the 

 one side and the spleen and intestines on the other proving almost 

 insuperable obstacles to rotation. But when empty it moves with 

 great freedom and by a sudden shock in leaping, gamboling or 

 running rapidly down stairs the pylorus is carried forward and to 

 the left until it and the commencement of the duodenum are 

 jammed in front of the cardia. The result is the obstruction of 

 the cardia and duodenum by their mutual pressure in crossing 

 each other, and the interruption of the gastric circulation and 

 functions. 



Lesions. As just .stated the stomach which would normally ex- 

 tend from the cardia downward and to the right is bent forward 

 and doubled upon itself, the pylorus lying in front of the cardia, 

 the duodenum extending from before backward above the cardia 

 and tightly compressing it, the liver drawn to the left by the 

 hepato-duodenal peritoneum, and the spleen displaced to the right 

 by the traction on the omentum. The stomach enveloped in its 

 omentum is distended by gas to perhaps ten times its normal 

 dimensions and appears to fill the entire abdominal cavity while 

 the intestines are pushed aside and concealed. The chest is com- 

 pressed by the strong pressure on the diaphragm, and the lungs 

 are congested of a deep blue and the right heart di.stended with 

 dark blood. The animal appears to have perished of apncea. 



Symptoms. In fully developed cases the abdomen is greatly 

 distended and tympanitic. The drumlike resonance is met with in 

 the anterior part of the abdomen including the umbilical region. 

 It extends forward over one-half of the thorax, excepting only 

 a space of 5 or 6 inches .square in the right hypochondrium, 

 which represents the situation of the liver, and spleen. Aus- 

 cultation furnishes no .sound in the abdomen, and only in the an- 

 terior portion of the thorax is there a distinct respiratory 

 murmur. The heart may beat .strongly and rapidly, or weakly 



