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extensive adhesions of the pleura to the chest, showing that the de- 

 ceased had at some remote time, had an attack of inflammatory 

 disease of the chest. The heart was enlarged, pale and soft ; the 

 blood-vessels filled with a dark fluid blood, and two or three ounces 

 of serum in the membrane covering the heart. The other viscera of 

 the body were healthy, except the stomach — the mucous membrane 

 of which was softened, and the veins turgid. Dr. Wood gave an 

 opinion that there was sufficient disease of the lungs to cause death, 

 but could not say that the administering of chloroform had hastened 

 death — where abscesses exist in the lungs, any excitement might 

 cause sudden death. Where disease of the brain, lungs, or heart 

 exists, or where there is a predisposition to either of these diseases, 

 it would be improper to administer chloroform. Disease of the lungs 

 may exist without presenting symptoms to attract attention. The 

 existence of fistula would go far to conceal the existence of disease 

 of the lungs. The post-mortem examination was made in the pre- 

 sence of Dr. Rotton, Dr. Sayne, Dr. Beers, and Drs. Robson, Elliot 

 and Witherell. Verdict of the jury, ' That Patrick Murphy came 

 to his death by disease of the lungs. The jury are unable to say 

 whether the inhalation of chloroform in this case, or the excitement 

 of the operation was the immediate cause of death.' 



The case in Cincinnati is as follows: — A lady, in her 36th year, 

 in the enjoyment of good health, and the mother of six children, 

 repaired to the office of a dentist, for the purpose of having some 

 roots of teeth extracted. Fifteen minutes after her arrival, and 

 without any apparent alarm or excitement, she commenced inhaling 

 chloroform. While inhaling, the face became pale. According to 

 the testimony -of the female attendants, the instruments were ap- 

 plied, and four roots of teeth extracted, at the expiration of two 

 minutes. As the last root came out, the patient's head turned to 

 one side, and the arms became slightly rigid, the body was drawn 

 somewhat backward, with a tendency to slide from the operating 

 chair. The pulse and respiration are said to have ceased about the 

 same time. The face now became livid, as also did the finger nails, 

 the lower jaw dropped, and the tongue projected a little at one 

 corner of the mouth, and the arms were perfectly relaxed. Efforts 

 were made to resuscitate the patient — ammonia was applied to the 

 nostrils, cold water dashed in the face, mustard, brandy, &c, applied. 

 The patient was now removed from the operating chair, and laid on 

 a sofa, but the witnesses thought that she did not breathe, nor 

 exhibit any sign of life, after being placed in the recumbent posture. 

 The dentists stated — that they administered the chloroform vapour 

 from Morton's inhaler; it contained a sponge (perhaps one-third 

 filling the glass globe of 4| inches diameter) saturated with the 



