THE METHOD OF MAKING POST-MORTEM EXAMINATIONS. 15 



internal capsule on either side from back to front (Fig. 4, C A and D B) 

 care being taken not to injure the basal ganglia. Then cut across the 

 crura of the fornix and the septum lucidum, 

 leaving the foruix lying on the corpus cal- 

 losum. 



The square basal piece (Fig. 5) thus freed 

 the brain axis includes the island of Reil, 

 the basal ganglia, the crura, pous, medulla, 

 and cerebellum. The remaining portion 

 the brain mantle includes the convolutions, 

 corpus callosum, and foruix (Fig. 6). 



The basal piece may be further examined 

 by a series of transverse incisions, from one- 

 half to three-quarters of an inch apart, and it 



FIG. 5.-THE BRAIN AXIS SEPA- 

 lliay be hardened either With Or Without the RATED FROM THE BRAIN MANTLE, 



cerebellum. The 'convolutions may be cut ^ SEEN FROM ABOVE. 

 into small pieces by longitudinal and transverse incisions, made from 

 within and not reaching quite to the pia mater, which will then serve 

 to hold the pieces together in their proper relations to one another. 1 



r 



FIG. 6. THE BRAIN MANTLE, AS SEEN FROM BELOW. 



A, Internal capsule ; B, operculum ; C, posterior border of corpus callosum ; D, descending horn ; 

 E, cornu ammonls. 



The Base of the Cranium. We now return to the skull. The re- 

 maining sinuses of the dura niater should be opened, and this membrane 

 then entirely stripped from the bone. The bones at the base of the skull 



1 For further details of this method of opening the brain and a consideration of its 

 advantages, see Van Gieson, " Laboratory Notes, " etc., New York Medical Journal, 

 July 20th, 1889. 



