246 The Diseases of Animals 



capacity of about fifty gallons. Opening from the 

 rumen at its anterior extremity is a small cavity, 

 the reticulum, commonly called the "honeycomb" on 

 account of the peculiar structure of the lining mem- 

 brane. It is very common to find foreign bodies,, 

 nails, etc., in this cavity after death. The next stomach 

 is the omasum, or "manyplies," or "manifolds," situ- 

 ated to the right of the rumen and well forward. 

 The omasum is made up of a large number of folds, 

 like the leaves of a book, and between these leaves the 

 food lodges, and is partly digested. In this stomach 

 the food is always rather dry and firm. The next and 

 true stomach is the abomasum. This is situated just 

 behind the manifolds and to the right of the rumen. 

 The lining membrane of the stomach is arranged in 

 loose folds, which run lengthwise. In examining ani- 

 mals a few hours after death, it is usual to find the 

 ]ining membrane of the rumen and omasum peeling off 

 readily over large areas. This is due to the action 

 of the digestive juices, which begin after death to digest 

 the stomachs themselves. In the horse there is no 

 bile -cyst or gall-bladder in the liver, as there is in 

 cattle and pigs. Other differences in structure of 

 the alimentary canal are of comparatively small im- 

 portance. 



In dealing with diseases of the digestive system, it 

 should always be remembered that most of them are 

 caused by improper food or feeding, and these sources 

 of trouble should be carefully scrutinized. 



