THE METHOD OF MAKING POST-MORTEM EXAMINATIONS. 33 



cus, new connective tissue, and pigmentation. Suspected amyloid de- 

 generation should be tested for by iodine solution. 



We often find the surface of the liver of a greenish or very dark- 

 brown color ; less frequently the same color extends into the substance of 

 the organ. This discoloration, which is entirely post mortem, is, like 

 the similar discoloration of other internal organs, produced by the action 

 of the gases of putrefaction on the coloring matter of the blood. 



PRESERVATION. For the study of parenchymatous degeneration, sections of the 

 fresh frozen tissue or small teased fragments should be examined in half-per-cent salt 

 solution. For general purposes small pieces should be hardened in Orth's fluid or in 

 formalin solution (5 : 100) or in alcohol. Tumors should be treated in the same way. 



The Pancreas. This organ, of a light yellowish-red color, is elon- 

 gated, irregularly prismatic in shape, and flattened autero-posteriorly ; 

 the right end, called the head, is broader than the rest and lies in the 

 concavity of the duodenum. The remainder of the organ, the body and 

 tail, are usually tapering and lie transversely in the abdominal cavity, 

 the tail reaching to the spleen. Its size and weight vary considerably ; 

 its usual length is from 15.3 to 23 cm. ; its breadth about 3.8 to 4.5 cm. ; its 

 thickness about 1.3 to 3.8 cm. ; its weight is usually from 70 to 108 grams. 

 The organ may be rounded instead of flattened ; the head and tail may 

 be disproportionately large ; the tail may be unusually long or may be 

 divided or curved. The superior mesenteric artery and vein, which pass 

 behind the gland, are usually partly embedded in it, but are sometimes 

 completely enclosed. 



A longitudinal incision should be made through the whole gland, 

 and its substance and duct should be searched for calculi, tumors, mal- 

 formations, and evidences of acute and chronic inflammation, fat necro- 

 sis, and amyloid degeneration of the blood-vessels. The pancreas is 

 frequently of a dark-red color from post-niorteni staining. 



PRESERVATION. Portions of this organ should be hardened in strong alcohol, 

 Orth's fluid, or in Flemming's osmic-acid mixture. 



The examination of the thoracic duct, which lies to the right and 

 posterior to the aorta, may now be made. Among the most important 

 of its lesions is tuberculosis, since it has been shown that from a tuber- 

 culous lesion here the generalization of the bacilli not infrequently oc- 

 curs. Inflammatory lesions, carcinoma, partial or total occlusion from 

 pressure may be found. 



The solar plexus, which surrounds the origin of the coeliac axis and 

 the superior meseuteric artery and lies between the adrenals, may now 

 be sought. Lesions of the semttunar and other ganglia are to be noted 

 atrophy, pigmentation, and degenerations. 



The condition of the hsemolymph nodes in the prevertebral fat should 

 be ascertained (see p. 400) . 



The Aorta. This vessel either in situ or after removal should be 

 opened by an incision extending its whole length and continued into its 

 branches. 

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