1002 SPECIAL PHYSIOLOGY. 



molecular change or .death, viz., rigidity of the muscles of the whole 

 body, and putrefaction of the tissues. These are most marked in or- 

 gans and tissues, the vital functions of which are the most active. 

 They supervene more rapidly in Warm- than in Cold-blooded animals. 

 The action of the heart and the movements of respiration may be so 

 much reduced, as to be altogether imperceptible, so that the functions 

 of circulation and respiration appear to be arrested. This is occa- 

 sionally observed in temporary syncope, in which a person, to all ap- 

 pearances dead, has, after a time, regained consciousness, and recov- 

 ered. The peculiar condition of the nervous system called catalepsy, 

 and the state of trance, are likewise further examples of so-called 

 apparent death. But, as previously stated (p. 135), on the occurrence 

 of actual death, the irritability of the muscles, by degrees, disappears, 

 electricity no longer excites their contraction, and then cadaveric 

 rigidity sets in. The time at which this comes on, its duration, and 

 many other points connected with it, have also been there mentioned. 

 The commencement of putrefaction is first indicated by the appear- 

 ance of a bluish-green patch on the surface of the abdomen or thorax ; 

 this goes on increasing in size, and becomes brownish, the margins by 

 which it spreads retaining, however, the primitive color. Putrefac- 

 tion then shows itself in other parts of the body. The rapidity of 

 this process presents great differences, the tissues being much more 

 prone to putrefy after certain diseases ; the temperature of the sur- 

 rounding air also influences, considerably, the quickness with which 

 the dead body is finally decomposed. 



