374 Dr Adam on Oil in the Huniaii Blood. 



lence through their means. Under this impression, the body 

 was directed to be examined with great care, and a report made 

 of the appearances on dissection. 



The subject was rather corpulent, and, from incipient putre- 

 faction, much swelling and discoloration existed about the head 

 and neck. On removing the scull-cap, some blood, which esca- 

 ped from a sinus wounded in the dissection, was observed to 

 present a singular oily appearance on its surface. When mi- 

 nutely examined, this was found to proceed from an oil swim- 

 ming about in the fluid, in the form of small globules. In con- 

 sistence it resembled olive-oil ; but in colour approached more 

 to that of amber, or of hot-drawn castor-oil. In the substance 

 of the brain, slight indications of congestion presented them- 

 selves, but no decided inflammatory appearance. The abdo- 

 men was opened, and the blood in the cava ascendens found to 

 contain the same oily matter in great abundance, as was also 

 the case with the femoral, and other vessels of the lower extre- 

 mity ; and it evidently pervaded the whole venous system. In 

 proportion to the mass of blood, it existed in considerable quan- 

 tity, and might be collected by means of a spoon, with great 

 ease. A quantity of the oil thus procured, with some adherent 

 blood, was set aside for analysis ; but putrefaction speedily 

 taking place, prevented the examination. No visible disease 

 existed in any of the viscera, whether of the thorax or abdo- 

 men. It was afterwards ascertained that this man had been in- 

 toxicated the night previous to his decease ; but he was in ge- 

 neral of sober habits, and enjoyed a perfectly sound and healthy 

 frame.* 



• Since the above notice was presented to the Calcutta Medical and Phy- 

 sical Society, I have observed in the Edinburgh Philosophical and Medical 

 Journals, that a similar oil is described as having been found in the blood of 

 the living subject, by Dr S. Trail of Liverpool. The oil in these instances 

 was combined with the serum in the form of an emulsion ; and it is not im- 

 probable, that during life the same union existed in the case now detailed. 

 Putrefaction, however, having commenced before the body was opened, we 

 had no opportunity of witnessing the natural appearance of the fluid, or of as- 

 certaining the relations which its elementary parts may have borne to each 

 other. Judging from its appearance, I should say it was much more abun- 

 dant than the proportion stated by Dr Trail in his cases. The blood, too. 



