Xll GENERAL RULES. 



central portion, and never at one of their attachments ; the 

 two ends may then at any time be reapplied, and the deep 

 relations, especially to articulations, can thus be better 

 appreciated. 



Arteries should be dissected with a pointed knife, and, 

 so far as is practicable, from the trunk toward the branches, 

 and the branches from their origin toward their termina- 

 tion. The forceps should steady the artery by seizing its 

 sheath, and not the vessel itself; if the forceps are what 

 they should be, this rule need never be violated ; inferior 

 forceps are a greater hinderance to neat dissecting than 

 dull scalpels. Nerves are to be put upon the stretch with 

 hooks, and stripped of their cellular sheath with care, for 

 they are liable to be unintentionally divided. 



The whole subject, when not in use, should be covered, 

 and each part, with the integument belonging to it replaced, 

 should be wrapped around by a bandage dampened, not 

 wet, with water. Parts intended to be preserved for the 

 study of the ligaments must be kept merely moist enough 

 to prevent drying; anything like maceration giving all 

 the tissues a uniform opacity w r hich renders the distinction 

 of the ligaments at once difficult and unsatisfactory. 



Slowness, without unnecessary delay, and industrious, 

 systematic application, completing whatever is commenced, 

 before beginning elsewhere, are requisites for good dissect- 

 ing. Neatness and cleanliness, both as to the table and 

 the part being dissected, as well as the hands of the dis- 

 sector, will contribute, not only to personal comfort, but to 

 the avoidance of diarrhoaa and the dangers which some- 

 times follow dissecting wounds. 



If a wound is received while dissecting, it should imme- 

 diately be held beneath the running water-faucet and 

 thoroughly washed ; the bleeding must be encouraged, and 

 any matter introduced drawn out by sucking the part. It 

 is a questionable practice to cauterize such wounds, but if 

 it be done, a saturated solution is the only form in which 

 nitrate of silver should be used. 



