Enterotome. (See Fig. [6].) For opening the intestine the enterotome or intestinal scissors are used. These consist of one long probe-pointed blade bluntly rounded at its end, and a shorter blade with straight end fitting into the longer blade. Neither blade should be sharp-pointed.
Costotome. (See Fig. [7].) The cartilage-shears have two short, thick blades, the upper one with a broad belly, the lower one curved. Between the strong handles a spring is placed, and the construction should be such that when the blades are closed the ends of the handles do not touch. The form in which the handles meet and are secured with a catch is a dangerous autopsy instrument because of the severe pinching that the operator’s hand is sure sooner or later to receive.
Saws. (See Figs. [8], [9], [10].) A small hand-saw (bone-saw) is necessary for opening the skull, and the same saw may be used to open the spinal canal. It is sometimes made with a rounded point (“fox-tail” saw). For sawing vertically through the base of the skull when exposing the nasal tract a larger butcher’s saw with a high frame may be used. For sawing the angles of the skull-cap Hey’s saw may be of service but is not essential. A metacarpal saw may be used for opening small bones or the long bones of an infant. Band saws are sometimes used in opening up the nasal tract.
Fig. 5—Autopsy Scissors of Various Types
Rhachiotome. (See Fig. [11].) This instrument consists of two curved saw blades placed parallel to each other in such a way that the distance between them can be regulated by screws. There are two handles, a horizontal one for the right hand, and an upright one for the left hand attached to the fixed saw blade. It is used in opening the spinal canal.
Chisels. (See Figs. [12], [13], [14].) A very convenient autopsy instrument is the T-chisel or skull-opener, used for springing off the skull-cap and in detaching the periosteum. Side- and guarded-chisels may be used for the same purpose. The hatchet-chisel may also be used on the skull or spinal column. Straight and curved bone-chisels are also necessary for the examination of the bones and bone-marrow.
Brunetti Chisels. (See Fig. [15].) These are of great service in opening the spinal canal, but require some practice for their proper use. When used with skill they are preferable to the rhachiotome. The chisels are rights and lefts, and have a long, heavy, curved blade, broadening toward the cutting end, which has on its right or left side a small blunt projection that is introduced into the spinal canal after the removal of a portion of one of the vertebræ. This projection serves as a director and lever, while the cutting edge of the chisel is driven through the lateral portions of the bony covering of the canal by means of blows from a wooden mallet received upon the heavy handles.
Fig. 6—Enterotome