6 OUTLINES OP EQUINE ANATOMY. 



this. Never cut througli anytliiug but areolar tissue with- 

 out having examined its nature. In the separation of 

 the skin the edge of the knife must be always turned 

 towards the skin from the unknown tissues, this is a 

 primary rule in dissection ; always cut towards known 

 structures when dividing areolar tissue, any slip of the 

 knife will then do no damage. 



Where possible, have the basement structure of the 

 part, as the bones or cartilages, cleaned to show its points 

 of muscular attachment, &c., near at hand for constant 

 reference, and during dissection take advantage of the 

 guidance of some authentic work on anatomy read aloud, 

 or better, of a good anatomist \i\ 'propria persona. Care- 

 fully note any point in which the subject under examina- 

 tion differs from the description. 



The different portions of the subject may be altered in 

 position, irrespective of the position of the subject in 

 general, by means of hloclis placed under parts which 

 require to be elevated, iron-forTced bars tirmly fixed in 

 the table by penetration with one sharp extremity, which 

 form a prop for limbs, and cords either from pulleys or 

 from fixed points, these may be tightened at convenience. 



By the separation of organs one from the other in the 

 dead body the hand and the eye are trained for operations 

 upon the living subject ; the student therefore should not 

 regret the time expended in the mechanical pursuit of 

 anatomy, nor consider that examination of preparations, 

 plates, or recent specimens prepared by others, will render 

 him proficient in anatomy ; it is only men who work on 

 this system who fear the ])ractical anatomical examination 

 recommended as a test by the highest authorities. 



One of the most prominent characteristics of the highest 

 subkingdom of animals is the possession of an internal 

 skeleton or basement structure. This consists of a number 

 of definitely but diversely shaped masses of a hard white 

 substance composed of a mixture of earthy and animal 

 matter. Submit a bone to combustion in a fire with a free 

 supply of air, it first turns black in consequence of the 

 carbon contained in its animal matter, and when this is 

 completely burnt a white friable mass, in shape resem- 

 bling the bone, remains, being the earthy matter which 

 entered into its formation. Subject another bone to the 

 action of dilute hydrochloric acid, this will remove th<? 



