76 PRACTICAL BACTERIOLOGY 



viscera when the inoculation is made close to the median line, half-way 

 between the sternum and the symphysis pubis, and a curved needle 

 used, with an opening some distance from the point on the convex side. 

 When solid substances, bits of tissue, etc., are to be introduced, 

 the operation must be conducted on the lines of a laparotomy, as 

 follows : 



1. Shave the hair from a small area over the median line, wash 

 the skin with soap and water, apply fresh water, rub with 

 alcohol, and finally sterilize with corrosive sublimate 

 solution 1 to 1000 (see 66, p. 44). 



%. Make a longitudinal incision about 2 c. long, close to the 

 median line, through the skin and down to the fascia. 



3. Two subcutaneous sutures, as employed by Hals ted, are 



introduced transversely to the line of incision about 1 c. 

 apart, and their ends left loose. These sutures do not 

 pass through the skin proper, but are introduced into the 

 subcutaneous tissues, passing into the abdominal cavity 

 and out again, entering at one side of the line of incision 

 and leaving at the other. 



4. The remaining tissues are now cut through, and the bit of 



tissue deposited in the peritoneal cavity (under sterile 



precautions), the edges of the incision closed tightly 



and evenly by drawing and tying the sutures, and the 



line of incision dressed with iodoform collodion. 



All instruments, sutures, ligatures, etc., used in the operation are 



previously carefully sterilized, either in the steam sterilizer, or boiled 



in a 2 per cent, solution of sodium carbonate for ten minutes, and the 



operator's hands cleansed with disinfecting solution *( 66). The 



material placed in the abdominal cavity must also be handled with 



sterilized instruments. 



CXLIL INOCULATION INTO THE PLEURAL CAVITY. 



This is very seldom practised, as it is very difficult to enter the 

 pleural cavity without injuring the lung. 



CXLIII. INOCULATION INTO THE ANTERIOR 

 CHAMBER OF THE EYE. 



A puncture is made through the cornea just in front of its 

 junction with the sclerotic, the knife passing into the anterior 



