the thorax farther towards the back; and, instead of cutting through the cartilaginous extremities of the ribs, dividing the bones themselves with a saw. in bending back the sternum, or flap in front, we must take care and divide the mediastinum with the scalpel as near the bone as possible, in order to avoid making any opening into the pericardium, which would otherwise be very apt to happen. As soon as an opening is effected into the thoracic cavity, the lungs collapse, unless the adhesions formed between them and the pleura should prevent it. Our first object will be to observe whether any quantity of fluid is present in the chest, and whether it be limpid, as in dropsy; turbid and containing flakes of coagulated lymph, as in cases preceded by much inflammatory action; or purulent, as in empyema. Having removed the liquid, should any be present, by the application of a large sponge, we must proceed to examine the lungs, as to their colour and general appearance; and, by the introduction of a blow-pipe into the trachea, we should by means of the mouth or bellows inflate these organs, so as to ascertain the degree of distention of which they are susceptible. We may at the same time inspect their structure more minutely by raising each lobe with the hand, introduced into the cavity of the thorax for that purpose. We are next to cut into their substance in order to observe whether they are gorged with blood, and inflamed; whether they are crepitous and light, or dense like liver; and whether they contain any tubercles; should these latter bodies be discovered, we have to ascertain their magnitude, extent, and maturity, and whether any of them have been developed into vomicæ?]. The anatomist should be cautioned not to mistake the deep colour, and compact
