COMPLETE EMBRYOTOMY 



285 



Fig. 65. 



The skin of the neck, which may now be drawn from the 

 vulva, is incised as far as the vulva. 



The skin over the ribs and back is separated with the 

 large spatula, the left hand resting upon the skin, always 

 following the movements of the spatula. The skinning may 

 be readily done with the hand. It is of great importance to 

 separate the skin well; unless this is 

 done many difficulties are encountered 

 later. 



When the hand can pass below the 

 skin all over the thorax as far as the last 

 rib, the costal cartilages at the sternum 

 are cut from the last rib to the first one — 

 that is, postero-anteriorly — with the sharp 

 probe-pointed hook. 



This may also be done with Hinze's 

 saw or the sliding bistoury. 



Next the ribs are severed as close as possible to the verte- 

 bral column with the sharp hook. The chisel may be used 

 instead. 



The incisions with the hook are made 

 from the last rib to the first one. One 

 must be careful not to cut the vertebral 

 attachments of the ribs first and then the 

 sternal, as it is then exceedingly difficult 

 to sever the costal cartilages after they are 

 detached from the vertebral column. The 

 hand may extract the thoracic wall after 

 it is removed in this way (fig. 66). 



The other thoracic wall is removed 

 in the same manner. By pulling on the 

 skin flaps the trochanters of the calf come in front of 

 the pelvic" inlet and its back into the pelvic canal. The 

 skin is incised as far as the vulva. The intestines are 

 detached with the hand and removed (exenteratio). The skin 

 over the back as far as the sacrum is separated by hand, if 

 necessary with the spatula, always stretching the skin flaps 



