EXAMINATION OF ANIMALS. 161 



easily be lifted up, and by severing the connections with 

 the diaphragm it may be completely removed. 



When this is done and the abdominal flaps laid back, 

 the contents of both cavities are to be inspected and their 

 condition noted without disturbing them. 



After this, the first steps to be taken are to prepare 

 plates or Esmarch tubes from the point of inoculation, 

 the blood, liver, spleen, kidneys, and any exudates that 

 may exist. 



This is best done as follows : 



Heat a scalpel quite hot and apply it to a small sur- 

 face of the organ from which the cultures are to be 

 made. Hold it upon the organ until the surface directly 

 beneath it is visibly scorched. Then remove it, heat it 

 again and while quite hot insert its point through the 

 capsule of the orgau. Into the opening thus made insert 

 a sterilized platinum-wire loop, made of wire a little 

 heavier than that commonly employed. Project this 

 deeply into the tissues of the organ ; by twisting 

 it about, enough material from the centre of the organ 

 can be obtained for making plates or Esmarch tubes. 



The cultures from the blood are usually made from 

 one of the cavities of the heart, which is always entered 

 through a surface which has been burned in the way 

 given. 



In addition to cultures, cover-slips from each organ 

 and from any exudates that may exist, must be made. 

 These, however, are prepared after the materials for the 

 cultures have been obtained. 



They need not be examined immediately, but may be 

 placed aside, under cover, on bits of paper upon which 

 the name of the organ from which they were prepared 

 is written. 



