Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 1, 1802).djvu/26

2] its viscera and intestines in the following situation: after having removed the skin and the muscles, we discover the peritoneum, or a membrane which envelopes all the viscera of the lower belly. This being divided, the omentum, or cawl, appears floating on the surface of the intestines, which are likewise seen in a moist and loose state, making numerous windings through the whole cavity. The viscera next present themselves in this order: on the uppermost part of the belly, namely, under the midriff, towards the middle, but rather inclining to the right side, lies the liver, and near its concave surface is the gall-bladder; somewhat to the left is the stomach, and laterally, contiguous to it, the spleen. The kidneys are placed about the middle of the lumbar region, or the loins, while the urinary bladder, and the parts of generation, are situated in the lower division of the belly; in that bony cavity which is denominated the pelvis, or bason, and the sides of which form what are commonly called hips.

The situation of these parts, however, in a natural state, frequently undergoes considerable variations, especially that of the liver, the stomach, and the spleen: and these deviations, being produced by various causes, as by a different posture of the whole body; distention of the stomach with an unusual quantity of food, either in a solid or liquid form; or, lastly, during pregnancy; hence it may be understood that, with every preternatural change of their respective positions, there may arise ruptures, spasmodic contractions, callosities, accumulations of water, called dropsy, and many similar complaints. To prevent such disastrous consequences, we cannot too strongly inculcate the necessity of observing strict temperance, particularly with respect to food, drink, and exercise. This proposition may be rendered more evident, by appealing to the experience of those Europeans, who have long resided in warm climates, and prudently restrained their sensual appetites; in consequence of which, they have seldom been attacked with diseases of the liver; an organ which cannot fail to become a prey to an irregular mode of living.

The intestines have certain general characters, though each of them manifests its pecularities. In the former respect, we find that they are all connected with the vertebræ, by means of the mesentery; that each of them consists of different membranes, the innermost coat of which terminates in the intestined canal itself, and forms semi-lunar valves, inclining towards each other, contracting the tube of that passage, and often appearing in several parts more numerous and conspicuous than in others. Each gut is, farther, provided with small glands, for the secretion of a viscid humour, and many small vessels for the absorption of certain fluids. Lastly, all intestines possess, in common, a certain creeping, called the peristaltic, or vermicular motion: which is occasioned by the contraction of their muscular fibres, operating in a spiral direction, or obliquely from the upper towards the lower parts; and they are thus liable to alternate contortions in their respective situations. This curious phenomenon may be clearly perceived for some time after death, and especially in an animal recently opened.

By inverting this motion of the stomach and bowels, an effect which may be produced by certain lating