INOCULATION FOR RABIES. 503 



is removed. The wound in the skin is then closed by a couple of silk 

 sutures, for which purpose the Reverdin needle is usually employed. 

 The incision is finally covered with cotton and collodium (p. 501). 



In the case of rabies, the rabbit will usually die in about 14 to 20 

 days. By repeated successive passage the virus can be increased in 

 virulence so that it will kill invariably in 10 days. The symptoms of 

 rabies are manifested after about the 6th day. The animal becomes 

 apathetic, the temperature falls considerably below the normal, and 

 the respiration is decreased. The loss of coordination of the hind 

 legs is characteristic for paralytic rabies. 



The cord and brain of the dead animal should be exposed and 

 examined by staining, and by the culture method for bacteria. Similar 

 examinations should be made of the heart-blood and internal organs. 

 The absence of pathogenic bacteria must be established in order to 

 justify the conclusion that the death was due to rabies. 



The post-mortem in this case is carried on as follows: The ani- 

 mal is fastened on a tray or board and an incision is made with a pair 

 of scissors from the top of the skull to the root of the tail. The lower 

 end of the incision is prolonged towards each hind extremity. By 

 means of a knife the skin is then wholly removed from the back and 

 side of the animal, and also from over the skull, the ears being cut off 

 close to the bone. Beginning at the base of the skull the muscles of 

 the neck are then removed by a pair of dull-pointed scissors. After 

 removing the scapulae by means of bone forceps the muscles are re- 

 moved from both sides of the vertebral column. 



The skull is then grasped firmly in a pair of strong bone pincers 

 (Paraboeuf 's), and the upper portion is removed by means of a pair of 

 bone forceps. The tops of the vertebras are removed in like manner, 

 piece by piece, exposing thus, the entire brain and spinal cord. Care 

 must be taken to avoid injury to the brain or spinal cord. The lower 

 end of the cord is then held by forceps and all connections with the 

 vertebral canal are cut. The cord is then laid back in the canal. 

 The cord is used for the preparation of Pasteur's anti-rabic vaccine. 

 The several steps taken are herewith indicated. 



A noose of sterile silk thread is slipped over the end of the cord 

 and drawn tight. The cord is then cut about 6 cm. from the end 

 and suspended from the neck of a sterile bottle. The latter contains 

 some solid caustic potash or soda on the bottom. It is plugged with 

 cotton and is marked C. A second slip-knot is then placed over the 

 cut end of the cord and any connections of the latter with the canal 

 are severed and finally the cord is cut, leaving a piece about 6 cm. 

 long attached to the thread. This is suspended like the former in a 



