CHAPTER II. 



THE LESIONS IN CERTAIN FORMS OF DEATH FROM 

 VIOLENCE: SUDDEN DEATH. 



The Lesions in Certain Forms of Death from Violence. 



SUFFOCATION^- ASPHYXIA. 



BY suffocation is meant that condition in which, without direct press- 

 ure on the larynx or trachea, air is prevented from penetrating into the 

 lungs. The interruption of the function of respiration which is thus 

 brought about induces the condition known as asphyxia. In this way 

 many deaths from drowning and strangulation take place. 



The ways in which the supply of air may be cut off from the lungs 

 are various. The mouth and nose may be closed by the hand, by plas- 

 ters and cloths, by wrapping up the head in cloths, by covering the face 

 with earth, hay, grain, etc. Foreign bodies may be introduced into the 

 mouth, pharynx, and larynx. Blood may pass into the trachea from an 

 aneurism or from a wound. The glottis may be closed by inflammatory 

 swelling. Vomited material may lodge in the larynx. 



On the other hand, injury or disease of the medulla oblongata, or 

 paralysis or spasm of the muscles of respiration from drugs, tumors 

 pressing upon the air passages, or diseases of the lungs themselves, may 

 induce asphyxia. 



EXTERNAL INSPECTION. 



The body should be examined for marks of violence, the cavities of 

 the mouth and nose for foreign substances. 



The face may be livid and swollen or present a natural appearance. 

 The conjunctiva may be congested and ecchyrn otic. There maybe small 

 ecchymoses on the face, neck, and chest. The mouth often contains 

 frothy blood and mucus. The tongue may be protruded. 



INTERNAL EXAMINATION. 



The Brain and its membranes may be congested, or anaemic and oede- 

 rnatous, or unchanged. The Blood throughout the body is usually dark- 

 colored and fluid. 



The Larynx may contain foreign bodies which have induced the suffo- 

 cation. The mucous membrane of the larynx, trachea, and bronchi may 

 be congested and sometimes ecchymotic : these passages contain frothy 

 blood and mucus. The Lungs are usually congested and oedematous, but 

 sometimes do not differ from their ordinary appearance. There may be 



