166 Medical Bacteriology. 



2. Make a central longitudinal incision from the sternum to the genitalia with 

 sterile scissors, the abdominal wall being held up with sterilized forceps, or a hook to 

 prevent the viscera being injured. A transverse incision is made in a similar man- 

 ner. Cut through the ribs with strong sterilized scissors along the sterilized tracks on 

 the sides of the thorax, when the whole anterior wall of the thorax is easily lifted and 

 entirely removed by severing the diaphragm connections. 



3. When the thoracic and abdominal cavities are fully exposed, a careful examina- 

 tion of the organs and surroundings is made without disturbing them. 



Culture plates (Petri-dish) or roll cultures are prepared from the blood, liver, spleen, 

 kidneys, and any exudates present. 

 The method is as follows: 



(1) Heat a scalpel and scorch a small surface of the organ from which the cultures 

 are to be made. 



(2) Heat the scalpel again and penetrate the capsule of the organ with the point, 

 and through the opening insert a stout sterilized platinum loop, push it into the tissues, 

 twist around, and obtain enough material from the center of the organ to make the 

 culture. 



Cultures from blood are usually made from one of the heart cavities, the surface 

 being seared with a hot knife before opening. As soon as the culture material is ob- 

 tained, cover-glass specimens are prepared from each organ and existing exudates. 



Small pieces of each organ are also preserved for future examination. 



When the autopsy is finished the remainder of the animal should be burned and the 

 instruments should be sterilized. Wash the post-mortem board with sublimate solution. 

 The cover- glasses and other material likely to contain infectious matter must also be 

 sterilized when of no further use. 



Cultures are to be incubated at 38 C., growth examined microscopically, and by 

 means of sub-cultures. 



REFERENCES. The above is taken largely from Bowhill, 74; see also A. 219; N. 

 260; and other texts. 



