EXAMINATION OF THE DIGESTIVE APPARATUS. 



33 



Fig. 9. 



■much distended with gas or food the organ comes almost directly 

 in contact with the abdominal walls, and when greatly distended 

 it extends as far as the umbilical region and lies against the ribs 

 and left abdominal wall, the liver being pushed almost entirely 

 away from the surface of the stomach (Fig. 8). 



From the above anatomical details it can be readily seen that 

 it is nearly impossible to make a reliable examination of the 

 stomach when it is empty or even when it is 

 fairly well distended. The cardiac and pyloric 

 openings are so deep seated they are ex- 

 tremely hard to examine; it is impossible to 

 make a manual examination from below, as 

 the shovel-like end of the sternum prevents 

 it; the only method of examination is by 

 •digital pressure, and that when the stomach 

 is moderately filled by pressing on the left 

 lobe of the liver, push it to one side, and by 

 that means get pressure on the stomach. In 

 <3ases of poisoning we may get evidences of 

 pain; but it might be some disturbance of 

 the liver, and is not a safe way to get a sure 

 -diagnosis. The examination of the contents of 

 the stomach would be advisable in such a case. 



We can obtain the contents of the stomach 

 ■either by the substances which the animal may 

 vomit itself or by means of the stomach-pump. 

 This has been recommended by Frick, and 

 •only for therapeutic purposes (Fig. 9). 



The stomach-pump is operated in the fol- 

 lowing manner : In large dogs an ordinary 

 male horse-catheter, and in small dogs a 

 large male human catheter or a small rubber hose. We pass the 

 •catheter as was described in the examination of the oesophagus, 

 and put a small funnel at the end of the tube. Pour a certain 

 amount of water into the stomach through the tube, at the same 

 time holding the tube high; then manipulate the region of the 

 stomach and next depress the tube, and the siphon which has been 

 formed will soon empty the stomach of its contents. This method 

 is to be used in very urgent cases where poison is suspected; but, 



3 



stomach-pump. 



