| with water, which should be changed every day for about a 
_ here speak of great Britain, but in warmer climates, putrefac- 
S4 CF PREPARING SKELETONS. | 
CHAP. V. 
OF PREPARING SKELETONS. 
CLEANING AND PREPARING BONES IN GENERAL, 
As much of the fleshy parts should be removed from bones 
intended for preparation as possible with the scalpel, but it is 
not required that they should be separated from each other, 
more than is necessary for placing them in a vessel for the 
purpose of maceration. The bones are to be entirely covered 
week, or as long as it becomes discoloured with blood; after 
which, allow them to remain in water without changing till 
putrefaction has thoroughly destroyed all the remaining flesh ; 
this will require from three to six months, according to the 
season of the year or temperature of the atmosphere. We 
tion will take place more rapidly. In tropical climates, four- 
teen days will be sufficient to disengage the flesh completely 
trom the bones. 
The large cylindrical bones of the thighs and arms should 
have holes bored in their extremities of the size of a goose 
quill, to give the water access to their cavities, and a free 
_ exit to the medullary substance. 
As the water will gradually diminish in quantity from evapora- 
tion, more should be added from time to time, so that none of 
the bones, or any part of them, may remain uncovered, as by ex- 
posure to the atmosphere they would become of a dirty colour, 
_and have a disagreeable appearance. To be free from such 
stains, is considered a great beauty in skeletons. 
In towns, the macerating vessels should always be closely 
covered, as from neglecting this, the water is apt to get mixed 
with particles of soot, and other impurities, which have a strong 
tendency to blacken the bones. When the putrefaction has 
destroyed the ligaments, the bones are then fit for cleaning, 
