144 • 3Ianual of Veterinary Microbiology. 



must be sterilized by means of a strongly heated 

 glass rod. The solid part which it is desired to study 

 is then extracted with flamed instruments; liquids 

 are aspirated into the Pasteur pipette. 



On cadavers the same precautions are necessary. It 

 must be remembered that, in contagious diseases, de- 

 composition usually proceeds very rapidly and, in 

 consequence, the organism soon becomes invaded by 

 the germs of putrefaction. The cadaver having been 

 fixed in the proper position, the autopsy must be con- 

 ducted in a methodical manner and the products, 

 solid or liquid, which it is desired to study must be 

 collected aseptically. 



It should not be forgotten that the disease in ques- 

 tion is a contagious one, and that no part of the ani- 

 mal should escape the destruction which ought to 

 follow all autopsies of this kind; it is well, also, to 

 remark that several microbic diseases are transmissi- 

 .ble to man; the operator, therefore, should take the 

 precaution to protect himself against infection. 



Solid products, when collected, should immediately 

 be used for inoculations and for cultures, or should be 

 inclosed in sterilized tubes. Liquids should be sealed 

 in the Pasteur pipettes in which they have been col- 

 lected. 



