The Elements of Bacteriological Technique Part 93

When the animal is anaesthetised, it is more convenient to secure it firmly to some simple form of operating table, such as Tatin's (Fig.

179), which will accommodate rabbits, guinea-pigs, and rats: or to the more elaborate table devised by the author (Fig. 180).

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 178.--Mouse holder.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 179.--Tatin's operation table.]

~Operation Table.~--This is a table of the "aseptic" type, composed of steel tubing, nickel-plated or enamelled. The table-top frame is sufficiently large to accommodate rabbits, dogs and monkeys; and is supported upon telescopic uprights, so that it is adjustable as to height; in its long axis it can be inclined (at either end) to 45 from the horizontal. Further it can be completely rotated about its long axis. The table-top itself is composed of a sheet of copper wire gauze loosely suspended from the long sides of the tubular frame. The slackness of the gauze bed permits of an india rubber hot water bottle, or an electrotherm being placed under the animal, and if during the course of an experiment it is necessary to reverse the animal, the table-top frame is completely rotated, the device adopted for suspending the gauze is detached and the gauze reversed also, so that it again supports the animal from below.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 180.--Author's operating table[12].]

METHODS OF INOCULATION.

The following methods of inoculation apply more particularly to the rabbit, but from them it will readily be seen what modifications in technique, if any, are necessary in the case of the other experimental animals.

~1. Cutaneous Inoculation.~--(_Anaesthetic, none._)

1. Have the animal firmly held by an a.s.sistant (or secured to the operating table).

2. Apply the liquid soap to the fur, over the area selected for inoculation, with a wad of cotton-wool, and lather freely by the aid of warm water; shave carefully and thoroughly; or apply the depilatory powder.

3. Wash the denuded area of skin thoroughly with 2 per cent. lysol solution.

4. Wash off the lysol with ether and allow the latter to evaporate.

5. Make numerous short, parallel, superficial incisions with the point of a sterile scalpel.

6. When the oozing from the incisions has ceased, rub the inoculum into the scarifications by means of the flat of a scalpel blade, or a sterile platinum spatula.

7. Cover the inoculated area with a pad of sterile gauze secured _in situ_ by strips of adhesive plaster or by sealing down the edges of the gauze with collodion.

8. Release the animal, place it in its cage, and affix a label upon which is written:

(a) Distinctive name or number of the animal.

(b) Its weight.

(c) Particulars as to source and dose of inoculum.

(d) Date of inoculation.

~2. Subcutaneous Inoculation.~--

(a) _Fluid Inoculum._--(_Anaesthetic, none._)

Steps 1-4. As for cutaneous inoculation.

5. Pinch up a fold of skin between the forefinger and thumb of the left hand; take the charged hypodermic syringe in the right hand, enter the needle into a ridge of skin raised by the left finger and thumb, and push it steadily onward until about 2 cm. of the needle are lying in the subcutaneous tissue. Now release the grasp of the left hand and slowly inject the fluid contained in the syringe.

6. Withdraw the needle, and at the same moment close the puncture with a wad of cotton wool, to prevent the escape of any of the inoculum. The injected fluid, unless large in amount, will be absorbed within a very short time.

7. Label, etc.

(b) _Solid Inoculum.--(Anaesthetic, none; or Ethyl chloride spray.)_

Steps 1-4. As for cutaneous inoculation.

5. Raise a small fold of skin in a pair of forceps, and make a small incision through the skin with a pair of sharp-pointed scissors or with the point of a scalpel.

6. Insert a probe through the opening and push it steadily onward in the subcutaneous tissue, and by lateral movements separate the skin from the underlying muscles to form a funnel-shaped pocket with its apex toward the point of entrance.

7. By means of a pair of fine-pointed forceps introduce a small piece of the inoculum into this pocket and deposit it as far as possible from the point of entrance.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 181.--Gla.s.s tube syringe for subcutaneous "solid"

inoculation.]

Or, improvise a syringe by sliding a piece of gla.s.s rod (to serve as a piston) into the lumen of a slightly shorter length of gla.s.s tubing and secure in position by a band of rubber tubing. Sterilise by boiling.

Withdraw the rod a few millimetres and deposit the piece of tissue within the orifice of the tube, by means of sterile forceps. Now pa.s.s the tube into the depths of the "pocket," push on the gla.s.s rod till it projects beyond the end of the tube, and withdraw the apparatus, leaving the tissue behind in the wound.

8. Close the wound in the skin with Michel's clips and a dressing of gauze sealed with collodion (or Tinct. benzoin).

9. Label, etc.

~3. Intramuscular.~--

(a) _Fluid Inoculum.--(Anaesthetic, none.)_

Steps 1-4. As for cutaneous inoculation.

5. Steady the skin over the selected muscle or muscles with the slightly separated left forefinger and thumb.

6. Thrust the needle of the injecting syringe boldly into the muscular tissue and inject the inoculum slowly.

7. Label, etc.

(b) _Solid Inoculum.--(Anaesthetic, A. C. E.)_

1. Secure the animal to the operation table and anaesthetise.

2. Shave and disinfect the skin at the seat of operation.

3. Surround the field of operation by strips of gauze wrung out in 2 per cent. lysol solution.

4. Incise skin, aponeurosis, and muscle in turn.

5. Deposit the inoculum in the depths of the incision.

6. Close the wound in the muscle with buried sutures and the cutaneous wound with either continuous or interrupted sutures or with Michel's steel clips.

7. Apply a sealed dressing of gauze and collodion.