POST-MORTEM EXAMINATION OF INFECTED ANIMALS. 27-7 



the cover-glass. Cultures, as a rule, are not made from the 

 subcutaneous tissue inasmuch as they can be obtained in a 

 more pure condition from the peritoneal cavity, and espe- 

 cially from the heart-blood. 



With another sterilized pair of forceps the lower part 

 of the abdominal wall is raised and a slight nick made with 

 sterile scissors. While the abdominal wall is kept stretched 

 the lower blade of the scissors is introduced into the cavity 

 and an incision is made as far as the diaphragm. The 

 diaphragm is then cut close to the ribs. The costal carti- 

 lages on both sides are now cut, if need be, with sterile 

 bone forceps. The triangular piece of the thoracic wall, 

 the sternum and ribs, is then wholly removed. The lower 

 end of the abdominal incision is extended toward the ex- 

 tremities. The abdominal walls can now be turned back. 



The entire abdominal and thoracic cavity is thus 

 opened for inspection. In making the incisions, special 

 care must be taken to avoid cutting into the intestines, or 

 internal organs. 



The condition of the abdominal and thoracic cavities 

 should be carefully observed. The quantity, consistence 

 and color of the pleural or peritoneal exudate, if any, is to 

 be noted. The appearance of the peritoneum, and the pos- 

 sible presence of minute miliary tubercles should be con- 

 sidered. The color, size and consistency of the liver, 

 spleen, and kidneys should be observed. Likewise the 

 lungs, pericardial sac and the heart, whether it is in dias- 

 tole or systole, should be examined. Attention should be 

 given to the presence of abcesses, tubercles or necrotic 

 areas. 



The peritoneal fluid, if it is found on examination to be' 

 rich in bacteria, can be drawn up into a syringe and 

 injected into another animal. Or, the fluid may be drawn 

 up into a sterile, drawn-out tube pipette (Fig. 61). This is 



