c. All the organs, from the tongue to the bladder and rectum, carefully detached, were withdrawn through this opening. (The result of the necroscopy was published in the third part of the Bulletin Clinique, p. 79.)
d. The eyes were extracted with precaution.
e. The integuments of the head were divided transversely, from one mastoid apophysis to the other, and turned down before and behind to the extent of three inches; it was in this space, where, by the aid of two sections by the saw, one vertical, the other horizontal from behind forwards, we were enabled to raise a segment of the cranium which allowed of the extraction of the brain, the medulla oblongata being cut off as low down as possible.
2. Desiccation of the corpse.—This first operation over, the corpse was, as much as possible, disembarrassed of the fluids which it contained, whether in the great cavities, or in the cephalo-rachidien canal. Then, by the aid of precious aromatics, and absorbing powders, frequently renewed, the tissues were divested of their humidity.
3. Maceration of the viscera.—After the examination of these, they were freely washed in a saline solution, and then macerated for two hours in a concentrated solution of alum, hydrochlorate of soda, and chloride of sodium, (Gannal’s liquor,) and finally, they were submitted for several hours more to the action of a concentrated solution of the deuto-chloride of mercury.
4. Maceration of the corpse.—All the parts having been conveniently detached, alcoholic injections were made into the vessels of the limbs, and into the rachidien canal; and immediately after each of these partial injections, others were made, consisting of the deuto-chloride of mercury, which were retained in the arteries by ligature, and in the canal by a cork. Similar injections were also used for various regions which are abundantly supplied with cellular tissue.
The members and the trunk, both internally and externally, were sprinkled with a concentrated alcoholic solution of the deuto-chloride of mercury, and enveloped for several hours with stoupes and compresses steeped in this liquid. Finally, in order that no part should be deprived of the conservative action of the corrosive sublimate, the mouth, the nasal fossæ, the orbits, and the auditory passages, were filled with little bags of this substance in powder; and by means of profound and numerous incisions, the same was introduced in the muscles of the limbs and back, &c. (These incisions, narrow at the surface, extended deeply, and in various directions in the subjacent tissues.)
5. All the viscera were replaced in the great cavities formed by the union of the thorax and abdomen.
This part of the operation was made with extreme minuteness; the organs cut into pieces about the size of the fist, were separately dried in balsamic powders, then supplied abundantly with chloride of lime, and surrounded with stoupes steeped in the alcoholic solution of the sublimate; each package, thus constituted, was invested in two plates of lead, and placed in the cavity of the thorax; aromatic powders, chloride of lime, and stoupes, steeped in the sublimate, separated the different layers.
The heart, (for the satisfaction of the relatives,) was left entire, and replaced in its natural position, after having been subjected to the same preparations. The cranium was filled with the same substances employed for the preservation of each organ.