AUTOPSIES AND MORBID ANATOMY. 205 



Intussusception, or one part of tlie intestine pushed 

 within another, is not very uncommon in the dog, and at 

 this stage it should be looked for — also perforations ; in 

 fact, let everything possible be done to detect lesions be- 

 fore the removal of organs. The stomach should be in- 

 cluded between double ligatures at both extremities, and 

 then cut free. After the removal of the intestines both 

 may be examined on a suitable table or board, on which 

 they may be spread out, slit open, and, after inspection of 

 the contents, washed by running a stream of water over 

 them from a small kettle ; the position, numbers, and kinds 

 of parasites, ulcers, adhesions, etc., noted, and so with all 

 other organs. 



It sometimes becomes necessary to examine the nerv- 

 ous centers, the brain, and spinal cord, more frequently 

 the former. This task is more difficult from the very per- 

 fection of their bony protective cases. Small saws and 

 bone-forceps of different kinds are required. The cuts, 

 after removal of the skin of the head, may be made just 

 above the base — ^on a line with the root of the ear in a 

 good many cases. The saw should not penetrate soft 

 parts within the skull, or lacerations will result that may 

 prevent any safe conclusions being drawn. The degree of 

 distention of the blood-vessels of the coverings of the 

 brain, any unnatural adhesions, tumors, clots, etc., should 

 be noted before the brain is lifted from its case for syste- 

 matic slicing. 



A blunt chisel-like instrument is of great service, after 

 the saw-cuts are made, in prying off the brain case. The 

 removal of the spinal cord is difficult, and, fortunately, 

 not so often required. The vertebral arches must be 



