158 CLINICAL DIAGNOSTICS. 



accumulations or impactions in the following divisions of th*. 

 bowels : 



a. Impaction of the floating colon. This is of frequent 

 occurrence in its posterior region and can then be easily rec- 

 ognized (rectal paralysis) ; constipation in the floating colon is 

 recognized by the nodular character of the surface and the sin- 

 uous course of the bowel. Its volume is appreciably less than 

 that of the colon or cecum. 



b. Impaction of left colon. When well filled with im- 

 pacted food masses the pelvic flexure projects into the pelvic 

 cavity and frequently toward the right hand. This flexure is 

 recognized by its great volume, its curvature and the short 

 mesentery uniting the two superposed layers of the left colon. 



c. Impaction of cecum. The base of the cecum is situ- 

 ated in the upper portion of the right flank and is attached to 

 the spinal column by means of a mesenteric fold and the pan- 

 creas. When distended with food-masses its great curvature, 

 which is smooth, projects almost to the right-hand border of 

 the pelvis. The small curvature can also be recognized and 

 serves to identify the organ. The longitudinal muscular bands 

 can also be felt. 



d. Impaction of the ileum. This usually occurs near the 

 ileo cecal valve. The impacted intestine courses transversely 

 from the left to the right side of the flank. It can be recog- 

 nized by its sausage-like form which can be almost encircled 

 by the hand. 



The following dislocations or displacements of the intes- 

 tine can be diagnosed: 



a. Incarceration in inguinal canal; most frequently ob- 

 served in stallions. The intestine can be felt about two or 

 three inches in front of the pubic bone and four or five inches 

 to the right or left of the median line where it seems to be 

 firmly attached. A pull exerted at this point causes the ani- 

 mal to evince signs of pain. Simultaneous examination of the 

 scrotum (external) clinches the diagnosis. 



