242 TEE MUSCLES. 



cervical region, including the longus colli and the anterior and lateral straight muscles of the 

 head. 



7. Lastly, tlie head is disarticulated and the muscles of this region are prepared. 



The subject may afterwards serve for the study of nearly all the articulations. 



Preservation of the muscles.— The muscles may be preserved by immersing them in appro- 

 priate fluids, and the muscular preparations by drying them. 



A large number of liquids preserve muscles from putrefaction. We may mention alcohol ; 

 a mixture of alcohol and oil of turpentine; alcohol, water, and chloroform; a solution of 

 sulphate of iron, bichloride of mercury, or arsenious acid. The best preservative fluid, how- 

 ever, is nitric acid diluted with water, in the proportion of one of the former to three of the 

 latter. The acid hardens the muscles and softens the connective tissue ; this allows all the 

 interstices to be completely cleared out, and even permits the primitive muscular fasciculi 

 which have been concealed by the white tissues, to be exposed. 



Desiccation, after immersion in a bath of arsenious acid or sulphate of iron, causes the 

 muscles to become hardened and distorted. It is therefore a bad procedure, though it preserves 

 the muscles. Steeping in carbolized glycerine is sometimes resorted to. 



(A careful dissection of the muscles, with regard to their origin, insertion, action, and 

 relations, is of infinite importance to the student of human anatomy ; to the Veterinary Student 

 it is no less important, and more particularly with reference to the muscles of the limbs. A 

 correct knowledge of their situation, attachments, and functions is often the only guide the 

 Veterinary Surgeon can rely upon in the diagnosis of those apparently obscure cases of lameness 

 whicli are of such comparatively frequent occurrence. In the words of Mr. Henry Gray, we 

 may repeat that " an accurate knowledge of the points of attachment of the muscles is of great 

 importance in the determination of their action. By a knowledge of tiie action of the muscles, 

 the surgeon is able at once to explain the causes of displacement in the various forms of 

 fracture, or the causes which produce distortion in the various forms of deformities, and, con- 

 sequently, to adopt appropriate treatment in each case. The relations also of some of the 

 muscles, especially those in immediate apposition with the larger blood-vessels, and the surface 

 markings they produce, should be especially remembered, as they form most useful guides to 

 the surgeon in the application of a ligature to these vessels" (^Anatomy, Descriptive and 

 Surgical). 



An accurate knowledge of the muscular system is also of great service to the Veterinary 

 Surgeon, in estimating the value to be placed upon the external conformation presented by 

 animals intended for diflferent kinds of labour. 



" In dissecting," says Mr. Holden, " there are four principal objects to be constantly borne 

 in mind by the student : 1st, The impression on the memory of those facts of general anatomy 

 taught in tiie lectures. 2nd, Tlie study of those parts of the body more especially concerned 

 in surgical affections and operations. 3rd, The education of the sense of touch, and of the 

 hand in the use of instruments; and 4th, The education of the eye in the knowledge of the 

 several tissues of the body, in various positions, and varying circumstances. . . . The education 

 of the eye is a gradual and tedious process, but one which is pretty certain to be satisfactorily 

 accomplished if the student do but use his hands properly, and therefore a few words on the 

 manual part of dissection may not be out of place. 



" First, as to the instruments requisite for dissection. A case, containing six or eight 

 scalpels, two pairs of scissors, a pair of dissecting forceps, a set of chain-iiooks, a blow-pipe, 

 and a probe, will enable the student to make all requisite dissections, supposing that he is 

 allowed the use of a saw and chisel in the dissecting-room. Great variety exists in dissecting- 

 cases, both as to form and expense, but so long as the instruments themselves are strong and 

 good, the simpler the case the better. Scalpels for dissection are made of two principal shapes ; 

 in one, the edge is bevelled to the point, the back being straight; in the other, both back and 

 edge are bevelled to a point midway between the two. The latter form is preferable for most 

 purposes. The blade should not be more than an inch and a half long, and never double 

 edged ; but the material of which the handle is constructed is a matter of indifference. 



" For all ordinary dissection, it will be found most convenient to hold the scalpel like a 

 pen ; but for cleaning the fascia off muscles and following out small nerves, it is better to hold 

 it reversed, so that the back of the knife may be against the tissue which is to be preserved. 

 In making the first incision through the skin of a limb, or in any otlier position where a long 

 incision is required, the knife may, with advantage, be held under the hand, by which the 

 wrist has more play, and the student has the opportunity of practising a mode of holding the 

 knife which he will find very useful when operating on the living body. 



" The forceps should be broad at the extremities and coarsely serrated, so that it may 

 retain a firm hold on small portions of tissue. It is very important that the forceps sliould not 



