Besides the instruments mentioned above there should be brass or
nickel measuring sticks, one 10 cms. long and one 30 cms. long, a
flexible metal measuring tape, graduated glass vessels for measuring
fluids, graduated glass cones for orifices, etc. Suitable scales
should also be provided. Rounded or triangular wooden blocks are
needed to elevate portions of the body. For the display of gross
specimens as they are removed from the body, agate dishes or wooden
trays that have been infiltrated with paraffin should be at hand.
The necessary outfit for the taking of material for bacteriologic
examinations should always be present. Likewise cover-glasses and
slides for smears, and reagents for the examination and preservation
of tissue should be at hand. Sponges, pails, towels, tow or excelsior
for filling up the body-cavities, disinfectants, etc., must be
supplied.
The autopsy outfit may be extended indefinitely to suit the
requirements of the conditions or the ideas of the pathologist. In
actual practice, however, the physician may confine his requirements
to the limits of a cartilage knife, dissecting scalpel, forceps,
one small probe-pointed pair of scissors, enterotome, saw, T-chisel,
needles, thread, sponge and specimen bottles. Five or six dollars
would cover the initial expense, and the set may be gradually
increased. It would seem unnecessary to decry the use of surgical
instruments for the autopsy. Once an instrument is used in an autopsy
it should be left in the autopsy set.
[Illustration: FIG. 15—Brunetti Chisels]
[Illustration: FIG. 16—Steel Hammer]
[Illustration: FIG. 17—Wooden Mallet]
[Illustration: FIG. 18—Forceps]
=CARE OF INSTRUMENTS.= The cutting instruments should always be kept
sharp and bright. Care should be taken that when the knives are
sharpened the blunt points and rounded bellies are not ground off.
After use the knives should be cleaned, disinfected and wiped dry. A
tight galvanized iron box containing wire trays and a bottom pan for
holding formalin is very practical in institution work. In private
practice the knives after cleaning and disinfection may be kept in a
holder made of Canton flannel or chamois skin having pockets fitted
to the instruments; the whole may be rolled up into a small and
compact bundle.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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