AUTOPSIES ON ANIMALS 147 



quantity of the bouillon is removed, and the contents are 

 inoculated with the particular bacterium to be studied, or an 

 emulsion of the bacterium is added. The glass tubing is seized 

 in sterile forceps, and is sealed off in a small flame a short 

 distance above the junction. The closed sac ought then to be 

 placed in a tube of sterile bouillon to test its impermeability. 

 The result is satisfactory if no growth occurs in the surrounding 

 medium. The sac with its contents can now be transferred to 

 the peritoneal cavity of an animal. 



Autopsies on Animals dead or killed after Inoculation. 

 These should be made as soon as possible after death in fact, 

 it is preferable to kill the animal when it shows serious signs of 

 illness. It is necessary to have some shallow troughs, con- 

 structed either of metal or of wood covered with metal, conveni- 

 ently with sheet lead, and having a perforation at each corner 

 to admit a tape or strong cord. The animal is tightly stretched 

 out in the trough and tied in position. The size of the trough 

 will therefore have to vary with the size of the outstretched 

 body of the animal to be examined. In certain cases it is well 

 to soak the surface of the animal in carbolic acid solution 

 (1 to 20) or in corrosive sublimate (1 to 1000) before it is tied 

 out. This not only to a certain extent disinfects the skin, but, 

 what is more important, prevents hairs which might be affected 

 with pathogenic products from getting into the air of the 

 laboratory. The instruments necessary are scalpels (preferably 

 with metal handles), dissecting forceps, and scissors. They are 

 to be sterilised by boiling for five minutes. This is conveniently 

 done in one of the small portable sterilisers used by surgeons. 

 Two sets at least ought to be used in an autopsy, and they may 

 be placed, after boiling, on a sterile glass plate covered by a 

 bell-jar. It is also necessary to have a medium-sized hatchet- 

 shaped cautery, or other similar piece of metal. It is well to 

 have prepared a few freshly-drawn-out capillary tubes stored in 

 a sterile cylindrical glass vessel, and also some larger sterile glass 

 pipettes. The hair of the abdomen of the animal is removed. 

 If some of the peritoneal fluid is wanted, a band should be 

 cauterised down the linea alba from the sternum to the pubes, 

 and another at right angles to the upper end of this ; an incision 

 should be made in the middle of these bands, and the abdominal 

 walls thrown to each side. One or more capillary tubes should 

 then be filled with the fluid collected in the flanks, the fluid 

 being allowed to run up the tube and the point sealed off; or a 

 larger quantity, if desired, is taken in a sterile pipette. If 

 peritoneal fluid be not wanted, then an incision may be made 



