116 DISEASES OF THE STOMACH AND BOWELS 



Impaction Complicated with Abnormal Displacement. — 

 Forms. — ^The following abnormal displacements of the bowel 

 have been noted: Torsion of the large bowels (colon and 

 cecum), volvulus of the small bowels, intussusception of the 

 small bowels, incarceration of the bowel (inguinal canal, 

 epiploic foramen, rents in the diaphragm, omentum, mesen- 

 tery, etc.), and strangulation of the intestines from tumors. 



All of these pathological displacements lead to a sudden 

 occlusion of the bowel and fatal colic. They constitute 

 about 5 per cent, of all colic cases. Of great practical 

 importance are: 



(a) Displacement of large bowels. 



(b) Displacement of small bowels. 



Displacement of Laege Bowels. — ^Most commonly this 

 consists in a rotation (torsion) of the left colons around 

 their long axes. On account of their free position in the 

 abdominal cavity, contrary to the colons on the right side, 

 a certain predisposition to abnormal displacement is present. 



Etiology. — ^The exciting causes are usually primary im- 

 pactions behind the point of torsion. Therefore, an impac- 

 tion of the upper may lead to torsion of the lower colons, 

 or an impaction of the lower to torsion of the upper colons. 

 Impaction may be determined in at least 80 per cent, of all 

 cases of displacement of the large bowels. Impaction induces 

 in the bowel which is in front of it a violent antiperistaltic 

 movement whereby secondarily a torsion follows. In other 

 instances paralysis of the bowels due to embolism is the 

 cause. Very rarely rolling in horses suffering from colic 

 may lead to displacement. 



Diagnosis. — A correct diagnosis can be arrived at only 

 through rectal examination. Very important in this regard 

 is the course of the bands of the left lower colon. In place 

 of their normal straight course the bands will be found 

 bent spirally to the right or to the left. The twist is always 

 opposite to the direction of the bands. For instance, the 

 common twist of the left layers of the colon is to the right; 

 the bands are twisted spirally toward the left in this con- 

 dition. Besides the result obtained from rectal examination 

 it will be noted that the general condition of the patient is 



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