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.
Fig. 15—Brunetti Chisels
Fig. 16—Steel Hammer
Fig. 17—Wooden Mallet
Fig. 18—Forceps