DECOMPOSITION. 81 



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fectly fresh, but I see no reason for this ; when I have time to 

 choose, I take the period of rigidity as being preferable on the 

 whole ; for the fluids have then " settled," and the limbs are 

 readily relaxed by manipulation. If you have a large bag to 

 dispose of, and are pressed for time, set them in the coolest 

 place you can find, preferably on ice ; a slight lowering of 

 temperature may make a decided difference. Disembowelling, 

 which may be accomplished in a moment, will materially retard 

 decomposition. Injections of creosote or dilute carbolic acid 

 will arrest decay for a time, for an indefinitely long period if 

 a large quantity of these antiseptics be employed. When it 

 becomes desirable (it can never be necessary) to skin a putres- 

 cent bird, great care must be exercised not only to accomplish 

 the operation, but to avoid danger. I must not, however, un- 

 consciously lead you to exaggerate the risk, and will add that 

 I think it often overrated. I have probably skinned birds as 

 " gamey " as any one has, and repeatedly, without being con- 

 scious of any ill effects. I am sure that no poison, ordinarily 

 generated by decomposition of a body healthy at death, can 

 compare in virulence with that commonly resulting after death 

 b}^ many diseases. I also believe that the gaseous products, 

 however off'ensive to the smell, are innocuous as a rule. The 

 danger practically narrows down to the absorption of fluids 

 through an abraded surface ; the poison is rarely taken in by 

 natural pores of healthy skin, if it remain in contact but a 

 short time. Cuts and scratches may be closed with a film of 

 collodion, or covered with isinglass or court plaster, or pro- 

 tected by rubber cots on the fingers. The hands should, of 

 course, be washed with particular care immediately after the 

 operation, and the nails scrupulously dressed. Having never 

 been poisoned (to my knowledge), I cannot give the symptoms 

 from personal experience ; but I will quote from Mr. Maynard. 

 " In a few days numerous pimples, which are exceedingly 

 painful, appear upon the skin of the face and other parts of 

 the person and, upon those parts where there is chafing or rub- 

 bing, become large and deep sores. There is a general languor 

 and, if badly poisoned, complete prostration results ; the slight- 



