_7._ =AUTOPSY TECHNIQUE.= _The object of the autopsy is to examine thoroughly, in as short a time as possible, and in the easiest and most convenient method, all of the organs and tissues of the body, with reference to the occurrence of disease-changes, in such a way that nothing will be overlooked or obscured._ The preservation of relationships becomes, therefore, a very important matter; and nothing should be done to disturb these until a complete pathologic picture has been obtained. All unnecessary handling and cutting must be avoided. No hasty or ill-advised cuts should be made. Careful deliberation is often necessary as to the proper course to be pursued in order to obtain the proper result. Each autopsy is a law unto itself in this regard. New complications constantly arise and must be studied before the right way of revealing the solution of the pathologic problem is found. _Above all things nothing should be destroyed until its relationships have been fully determined._ False steps taken in an autopsy cannot be retraced, and the complete investigation and the successful attainment of a diagnosis may be made impossible by improper methods of technique. As in all other technical matters there is a _best_ way of carrying out the different steps of the autopsy; and as this best way must be altered to suit the conditions as they arise, it follows that there is both a _science_ and _art_ of autopsy-making. Some general rules can be laid down that apply consistently to all autopsies, but strict adherence to one method is impossible in all cases. As in everything else the prosector should be master of his technique and not let it master him. When everything is ready for the autopsy the operator should take his place at the right side of the cadaver, unless he happens to be left-handed, when it may be more convenient for him to stand at the cadaver’s left. This position at the cadaver’s side he does not leave, except when opening the cranium, when he stands behind the head. When the spinal cord is removed posteriorly he still remains on the same side of the table, although the cadaver, having been turned over, presents its left side toward him. The instruments arranged in proper order should be on a tray close at his right hand, either on a neighboring table or placed on the autopsy table. As they are used they should be washed and returned to their proper place and not allowed to lie on the body or table.