Growth, Decay, wnd Death. 401 



and the subject presents a problem for the solution of the 

 physiologist. 



Shortly after death rigor mortis appears (see page 252), 

 and within an hour or two tympany of the abdomen is 

 apparent, reaching such a degree in a few hours, that post- 

 mortem rupture of the diaphragm is exceedingly common. 

 The explanation of this disturbance is the enormous amount 

 of gas generated by vegetable food. 



20 



