SUBACUTE OBSTRUCTION OF THE C/ECUM 



223 



' The C/ECUM has been described by EUcnbcrgcr as a 

 second stomach. Its enormous capacity and fantastic shape 

 have always rendered it an intestine of considerable interest 

 (Fig. 16). To our mind, its most remarkable feature is that it 

 is a bag, the openings into and out of which are both found at 

 the upper part close together. The exit, stiange to say, is 

 above the inlet, and the contents have to work against gravity 

 in order to obtani an entry into the next intestine, the double 



Fig. 16. — C/ECUM of the Horse, in Position, its Inner 

 Face being seen. 



T, The first (or double) colon ; 2, the ileum. (Smith's 

 ' Veterinary Physiology.') 



colon. This is brought about by the four muscular bands on 

 the coscum (Fig. 17), which shorten the bowel, forcing the 

 contents upwards towards the " crook." The ileum being 

 closed, the onl}' available outlet is into the colon (Fig. 18). 



'Several questions suggest tliemselves regarding the com- 

 munication between the large and small intestines. It is 

 certain that, in order to get from the ileum into the colon, 

 everything must pass into, or at any rate through, the caecum, 

 yet we feel sure that material does not remain there long. Is 



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