Pithing the frogs-Biology Class

sophomore year, we had to dissect frogs in biology. of couse, I was very interested and volunteers to get up early and help Mr Allen “Pith (or Pithe)” the frogs for live dissection. This precedure virtually is supposed to numb the nerve system of the frogs completey by destroying most of the spinal cord. We had quite a few we had to do before breakfast in order for them to be prepared for class later in the morning. All went according to plan and when classtime came around, we were all excited and prepared. what we had to do, was actually dissect the frogs and part of the procedure was to count the heartbeats. The frogs were supposed to be totally free of pain and any nerves. All was going according to plan when suddenly the frog that Joe Adams was working on, decided to jump off the table. Imagine the surprise when one partially dissected, pain free frog, decided the hop off the lab table since it didnt look like the top of his favorite lilly pad…..
the frog was eventually retrieved, pithed again and the operation went on as planned, although there was some talk about “WHO WAS IT?” that helped set the frog up in the first place. I am not sure if anyone ever really knew, but lets say, I did not enter the medical field. I left that to my collegue and friend Chris Diaz…..
sorry about that Joe….laughing