the guarded point saves a large aggregate amount of time over ordi¬ 
nary scissors or a knife in opening intestines. Too many routine 
postmortem examinations fail to take into consideration the lumen 
and inner lining of the stomach and intestines. The condition of the 
mucosa and the presence or absence of parasites are guessed at from 
a superficial observation of the serous coat. This method affords 
inferior evidence as to conditions present and the parasitologist can¬ 
not use such a method in examining animals for parasites. It is true 
that ascarids and other worms may at times be detected in this man¬ 
ner, but it is also true that large numbers of worms cannot be de¬ 
tected in this manner. For all-around use, an enterotome should 
have long, comparatively narrow blades with a guard of moderate size 
on one blade. Such an enterotome can be used on anything from 
the size of a chicken to that of a horse. 
Handling Specimens Collected 
A few tall jars, some glass dishes and an ample supply of running 
water are a great aid in collecting certain kinds of parasites. Rubber 
gloves may be used if desired; they afford protection from infection 
and also from undesirable odors on the hands. In the postmortem 
examination of the dog, cat, swine or animals of similar siz-e, it is 
advisable to put the stomach into one jar of water, or, better, physio¬ 
logic saline solution, the small intestine into another jar, the cecum 
into another and the colon and rectum into another. Slit each of 
these organs, wash the contents into the jar, scraping off adherent ma¬ 
terial from the organ, especially its mucosa, and then discard it. 
After the contents of the jar have sedimented, decant the supernatant 
fluid down to the mass of intestinal contents at the bottom of the jar, 
getting rid of the soluble coloring matter and the floating flocculent 
matter. Worms will remain in the heavier ingesta at the bottom. 
Add fresh water or saline and again decant, repeating this process until 
the supernatant fluid over the intestinal contents is clear. It is ad¬ 
visable to let the fresh water trickle down the sides of the jar in order 
not to form bubbles which may carry parasites to the surface. In 
fact all matter flowing out of the jar in the process of decanting should 
be scrutinized for possible parasites sustained by air bubbles, straw, etc. 
When the supernatant fluid is clear, the material in the jar should 
be agitated in order to stir up the intestinal contents and a small amount 
6 
