134 ANATOMICAL TECHNOLOGY. 



ature at the time of desired distension ; otherwise, the reflux of the 

 alcohol may be prevented by a small compressor. 



The jar selected should be so large that the inflated organ may 

 swim without pressure against the sides. It may be kept from the 

 bottom either by suspending it by a thread from the loop on the 

 jar cover, or by attaching a piece of cork or a bulb of thin glass. 



333. Inflation witJi Air, and Drying. This method is less 

 expensive, but more complicated : 



After trimming, cleansing, soaking, and trimming as above di- 

 rected ( 330, 331), the organ is to be partly filled with a saturated 

 solution of arseniate of soda ( 259), and placed in the same. The 

 projecting part should be covered with absorbent cotton, and the 

 whole should be turned at least once. According to size, it should 

 remain in the solution for from 3-12 hours. If left too long, the 

 tissues are gelatinized and rendered incapable of withstanding 

 pressure and manipulation. 



Expel any liquid contents as completely as possible, and let the 

 organ drain from a clean smooth surface. 



Select two fine-grained corks adapted respectively to the two ori- 

 fices. With a rat-tailed file girdle each with a furrow at about the 

 middle of the length. Perforate the larger, and fit very closely into 

 it a piece of glass tube projecting about 3 cm. from the larger end. 

 Fill the grooves with mucilage, and secure each cork by winding 

 about it at the level of the groove a string or rubber band. 



To the glass tube attach a rubber tube. Inflate the organ, and 

 apply a compressor near the glass tube. Put a tack or a small 

 screw-eye into each cork, and suspend the organ from screw-hooks 

 in a natural position, in a warm but not dusty place. If the organ 

 is large, or drags too heavily upon the slender oesophagus and 

 intestine, support it by bands of parchment or oiled paper. 



Connect the rubber tube with a gas jet, or with the outlet of a 

 gasometer, or other apparatus by which continuous pressure may 

 be made. Remove the compressor, and turn the gas on cautiously, 

 so as not to distend the organ unduly. 



The escape of gas will be slight, but its accumulation should 

 be avoided, and the place well ventilated. 



If no artificial means of inflation are available, air may be blown 

 in from the mouth, or injected with a syringe, but in these cases 

 constant attention is required to prevent collapse. 



