POST-MORTEM EXAMINATION OF ANIMALS 79 



in the abdomen in the region of the linea alba until the fascia begins 

 to burn, when the knife is then held transverse to this line over the 

 centre of the abdomen, making two sterilized tracks through which the 

 abdomen may be opened by crucial incisions ; two burned lines are 

 also made along the sides of the thorax. 



2. Make a central longitudinal incision from the sternum to the 

 genitalia with heated scissors, the abdominal wall being held up with 

 sterilized forceps, or a hook, to prevent the internal viscera being 

 injured. A transverse incision is made in a similar manner. 



3. Cut through the ribs with strong sterilized scissors along the 

 sterilized tracks in the sides of the thorax, when the whole anterior 

 wall of the thorax is easily lifted and entirely removed by severing 

 the diaphragm connections. 



4. When the thoracic and abdominal cavities are fully exposed a 

 careful examination of the organs and surroundings is made without 

 disturbing them. 



5. Plate, Petri-dish, or roll cultures are prepared from the blood, 

 liver, spleen, kidneys, and any exudates present. 



The method is as follows : 

 (1.) Heat a scalpel and scorch a small surface of the organ from 



which the cultures are to be made. 



(2.) Heat the scalpel again and penetrate the capsule of the organ 

 with the point, and through the opening insert a stout 

 sterilized platinum loop, push it into the tissues, twist 

 around, and obtain enough material from the centre of 

 the organ to make the culture. 



In making cultures from resisting tissues NuttalPs platinum spear 

 can be used to advantage. It is a piece of heavy platinum with a 

 spear head at one end perforated with a small hole, the other end 

 being attached to either a metal or glass holder. When heated it 

 can be readily thrust into the densest of the soft tissues, and when 

 withdrawn after twisting, sufficient material will be found in the eye 

 of the spear head for examination or the institution of cultures. 



Cultures from blood are usually made from one of the heart 

 cavities, the surface being seared with a hot knife before opening. 

 As soon as the culture material is obtained, cover-glass specimens are 

 prepared from each organ and existing exudates. 



Small pieces of each organ are also preserved for future examina- 

 tion. (For method, see Examination of Organs and Tissues, 31, p. 30.) 

 When the autopsy is finished the remainder of the animal should 

 be burned and the instruments used sterilized by the process given 

 under Sterilization (see p. 12). Wash the post-mortem board with 



