40 



DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE APPARATUS. 



(Fig. 12) we can see numerous particles of food that have passed 

 without digestion in animals that have good heahh. In impaired 

 digestion we see pieces of muscle, connective tissue, etc., with the 

 naked eye. 



Fig. 12. 



Microscopical examinatton of the feces. Vegetable matter, starch-cells, muscular fibres, 

 epithelial cells, and fungoid growths. 



The following deviations in the appearance of the feces may be 

 observed : 



1. Pieces of food (muscles and connective tissue) that are easily- 

 digested may be seen in the fecal matter. This points to a dis- 

 ordered stomach or may be the entire intestinal canal, as in fevers, 

 catarrh of the lining membrane of the stomach, or from increased 

 peristaltic action due to the effects of purgatives. 



2. The feces being thin and light indicate obstinate d'arrhcea; 

 they may be yellow, greenish-yellow, or greenish-gray ; all point 

 to some disorder of the liver. 



3. The presence of mucus, giving the feces a slimy appearance, 

 indicates catarrh of the intestine. If tiie mucus is mixed with 

 the feces in clot or lumps, it indicates an intense irritation of the 

 intestinal mucous membrane. In this condition the feces are 

 thin; where there are more or less hard fecal lumps mixed with 

 clots of mucus, it is an indication that the large intestine is 

 principally involved. 



4. Where the feces are light gray -white or clay-like in color and 

 have a dull gloss (due to the undigested fat they contain) on the 

 outside, it indicates an obstruction of the secretion of bile. "When 

 this condition is noticed the mucous membranes, as a rule, are 

 tinged with yellow. 



