186 



POST MORTEM EXAMINATIONS 



A. Mammalia. 



1. Pick up the skin over the manubrium sterni, incise it and prolong the 

 incision to the lower part of the abdomen, then extend the incision outwards 

 to the roots of the four limbs. Dissect the skin from the subjacent tissues 

 and throw the flaps outwards. This incision must involve the skin only. 

 ' 2. Should there be reason to suspect the presence of excess of fluid in the 

 pleural cavities, cauterize the muscles over one of the intercostal spaces, 



C.L.G. 



-A.L.G. 



, \r-I.L.G. 



FIG. 144. Appearance presented by a normal guinea-pig. 



C.L.G. Cervical lymphatic glands; A.L.G. Axillary lymphatic glands; 

 M.G. Mesenteric gland ; I.L.G. Inguinal lymphatic glands ; P.M.L.G. Post- 

 manubrial lymphatic gland ; P.S.L.G. Post-sternal lymphatic glands. 



introduce the point of a flamed pipette, aspirate some of the fluid, sow cultures 

 and make films. 



3. To open the thorax. Kaise the tip of the xiphoid cartilage with a pair 

 of sterile forceps, introduce the point of a pair of strong scissors beneath the 

 costal cartilages a little to one side of the sternum, and inclining the scissors 

 slightly outwards cut through the costal cartilages as far as the clavicle and 

 then divide the clavicle. By doing the same on the other side of the sternum 

 a flap is formed which can either be turned upwards or detached. This will 

 expose the heart and lungs. 



4. If there be any fluid in the pericardium, take hold of the latter with a 

 pair of sterile forceps, flame the point of a pipette and push it through the 

 membrane close to the forceps. The hot end of the pipette will sterilize the 

 surface of the pericardium as it passes through it. Aspirate the fluid. 



5. To collect blood from the heart, tear through the pericardium with 

 two pairs of forceps, or holding it with a pair of forceps slit it up with a pair 



