CHAPTER II. 

 CARE AND UTILIZATION OF THE COLLECTION. 



When a specimen is brought to us in a fresh state, as frequently occurs, we 

 fortunately are free to use our judgment in methods of fixation and preservation. 

 If the embryo is perfectly fresh or possibly living, we use, of course, the most 

 refined fixation, preferably corrosive sublimate with 5 per cent glacial acetic. 

 When the specimen is not perfectly fresh we generally transfer it to a 10 per cent 

 solution of formalin. In all of the circulars sent out, physicians are advised to 

 preserve all abortion material, as soon as possible, in this solution; consequently, 

 when delivered to us, specimens, if not crushed, are generally found to be so well 

 preserved that any part is suitable for refined histological technique. In order to 

 render the physician's task easier, we always send upon request a number of con- 

 tainers filled with a 10 per cent solution of formalin in water. Physicians in active 

 practice frequently allow their abortion material to accumulate, preserving it in 

 these containers, and when half a dozen or more are filled they send them to the 

 laboratory or notify us by telephone, and a messenger is sent for them. Specimens 

 from physicians out of town are, of course, sent by express or parcel post. Although 

 contributors are instructed to ship by express C. 0. D., they apparently often find 

 it more convenient to send their material by parcel post, for many specimens come 

 to us in this way. 



After a specimen reaches the laboratory it is at once given a serial number. 

 It is thus identified in our card catalogue, everything relating to it bearing the 

 same number. The specimen is transferred to another bottle or jar containing 

 the same kind of fluid in which it arrived generally 10 per cent formalin. This 

 jar is not only numbered on the outside, but the serial number of the specimen is 

 placed within, and if the embryo is large enough, a metal tag, bearing its number, 

 is attached to one of the extremities. This makes it possible to store several of the 

 larger specimens in one jar. Likewise, all correspondence concerning the specimen 

 receives this serial number and all data from the wrappers are transcribed upon 

 our permanent records. Photographs are made of all suitable specimens and an 

 objective description recorded on the form shown in figure 2, giving first the 

 dimensions of the entire mass, then the measurements and a description of the 

 villi and chorion, after which the ovum is opened and a note made of its contents. 

 The embryo also is measured, the standard measurement for very young specimens 

 being the greatest distance in the natural posture from crown to rump. This is 

 known in our records as the CR measurement. Older embryos are measured 

 straight and other measurements and weights also are taken. The age of the 

 embryo is estimated on the basis of weight, crown-rump, and foot length, and the 

 estimate so obtained is compared with the menstrual age. One or more photo- 

 graphs are then made and the whole memorandum, together with the clinical 

 history as supplied by the physician and any other data whatsoever, is placed in 



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