THE 
VETERINARIAN. 
VOL. X, No. 113.] MAY 1837. [New Series, No. 53. 
ANIMAL PATHOLOGY. 
By Mr. You att. 
LECTURE XI. 
The great Spinal Organic Nerve in the Abdomen. 
I HAVE little that is new to add to the account of the abdo- 
minal branches and ramifications of the great spinal organic nerve 
in the abdomen given in The Veterinarian of 1834; and 
I will not annoy you with more repetition than I can possibly 
avoid. 
The approach of the Nerve to the Diaphragm. — As the oeso- 
phagus approaches the diaphragm, the right nerve is attached to 
its under surface, and the left branch to the upper surface ; and 
fibres of intercommunication multiply to an extraordinary degree, 
with the apparent intention that their influence and power should 
be perfectly blended. No ramifications have yet been discovered 
on the diaphragm, for that important muscle is abundantly sup- 
plied with influence peculiar to itself. The oesophagus passes 
obliquely through the grand scissure between the crura of the 
diaphragm, and these nerves accompany it, clinging to its external 
coat. Having entered the abdomen, the branches of intercom- 
munication become more numerous, and a real plexus is formed 
about the base of the oesophagus : the two nerves, however, can 
be readily traced in their passage through the plexus, and, at 
length, altogether separate from each other, they take very dif- 
ferent courses over the stomach, still united by numerous anas- 
tomoses. 
I would beg leave to refer you to the 6th vol. of The Vete- 
rinarian, p. 349, for an account of the anatomical distribution 
of these nerves : in that I have no alteration to make. 
The motor Function of the Gastric Nerves. — With regard to the 
vol. x. h h 
