671 
ESSAY ON THE DESCRIPTIVE ANATOMY OF THE 
ABDOMINAL VISCERA OF THE HORSE. 
By Mr. Gamgee. 
[Read before the Members of the Veterinary Medical Association.] 
A DUE consideration of the subject proposed for the Annual 
Prize Essay, at the Meeting of the Council of the Veterinary 
Medical Association on the 25th September, 1850, made me at 
first doubt as to whether the terms “ abdominal viscera” implied 
all the organs contained within the abdomen proper and pelvic 
cavity, or simply those occupying the former situation. My 
hesitation arose from the fact, that the term abdomen is by all 
used both in a general and a restricted sense. After due 
reflection, it appears probable that the intentions of the Council 
would be most completely fulfilled by treating the question in 
the most comprehensive manner, and accordingly I deemed it 
advisable to describe the viscera contained in the pelvis, which 
are both anatomically and physiologically related to the con- 
tents of the abdomen proper. Thus, making mention of the 
alimentary canal without rectum and anus, or of the kidney 
without alluding to the bladder and urethra, would rather have 
tended to make any treatise on the subject more incomplete and 
disinteresting than if a different course had been pursued. 
To any anatomist, the description of the contents of the 
greatest splanchnic cavity of the body must be a task of diffi- 
culty almost commensurate to its importance. To a student of 
anatomy it is easy to comprehend that, while the idea of prose- 
cuting so vast and fine an inquiry should be replete with the 
greatest interest, it must also be the prompter of humbling 
feelings. True it is, that in anatomical description things are 
treated of which admit of ocular demonstration ; but as 1 feel it 
to be equally true that before one can describe the truth it must 
be learned, and, before it can be learned, long time and labour 
are needed, 1 do not presume to offer the contents of the suc- 
ceeding pages either as the sole fruits of my own inquiries, or 
as a complete exposition of the subject under consideration. 
For the vast majority of facts that I have stated I am respon- 
sible, because it has been my duty to ascertain that they are 
facts. On other points of doubt it is but just to state that I have 
preferred drawing materials from the general store of anatomical 
science. When I have done so, I have endeavoured to quote 
my authority ; if ever I should have omitted doing so, or if per- 
chance I may appear in some places to assume as my own what 
may belong to others, I can only state that the omission has 
been either unintentional, or its correction would have been 
