CHAPTER XL 

 POST MORTEM EXAMINATIONS. 



Introduction. 



1. Instruments, p. 184. 2. Preliminary operations, p. 185. 3. Examination of the 



external surface of the carcase, p. 185. 4. Examination of the internal organs, p. 185. 



5. Removal of tissues for histological examination, p. 188. 



THE objects of post mortem examination are two in number. 



1. To ascertain as far as possible the nature of the lesions which were the 

 cause of death. 



2. To collect material for further investigation. This will involve the 

 search for micro-organisms in the blood, exudates and internal organs by 

 microscopical, cultural and inoculation methods, as well as the histological 

 examination of portions of the internal organs. The material therefore will 

 have to be collected under very strict aseptic precautions. 



The following general rules must be observed in conducting a post mortem 

 examination on small animals. 



A. To avoid soiling the bench fasten the animal to a sheet of zinc or 

 copper [or pin it by the paws to a sheet of cork or a wooden board covered 

 with cork linoleum, either of which can be washed with antiseptics, preferably 

 2 per cent, lysol, before and after use]. Lay all the instruments in use on 

 the metal tray [or wooden board] and not on the bench while the examination 

 is in progress. 



B. Use sterile forceps and not the fingers for raising the skin, muscles 

 and internal organs. 



C. Sterile instruments must be used throughout. 



D. Conduct the examination at the earliest moment possible after the 

 death of the animal. 



E. As soon as the examination is completed burn the carcase and any 

 wool or paper which may have been used in an incinerator (fig. 13, p. 16) 

 or in a fire with a good draught, boil the instruments, and if a metal tray 

 has been used immerse it in a vessel of boiling water if it is not too large, 

 or wash it with a strong solution of lysol or carbolic acid. 



1. Instruments. 



Have ready before commencing a post mortem examination 



1. Sterile scalpels, bistouries, dissecting forceps and scissors both large 

 and small. 



2. A number of sterile Pasteur pipettes. 



