RECORDING CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
87 
presume. Therefore, the prognosis becomes the presumption of 
what will take place. In some circumstances it is easy to pre¬ 
dict the result, as suppurative pneumonia generally terminates by 
death; but in other circumstances the presumption is subject to 
many circumstances, and in that case the prognosis is guarded. 
The fourth chapter of a report is to be considered under 
two headings. First, that of a surgical; second, that of a path¬ 
ological case. If of the former kind, a minute description of 
the surgical manifestation is always indicated, and especially so dur¬ 
ing the operation, if complications, accidents or abnormal struct¬ 
ures are met with. When this is done the case is recorded as in 
the second heading, that of a pathological case, that is, an exact 
and concise daily description of the condition of the patient while 
under treatment, with the results obtained, changes observed, 
modification prescribed in the therapeutics formerly used—and 
then comes the fifth chapter. 
Recovery or death. The last ought always to mean a post¬ 
mortem. The examination of cadavers is most essential. It is 
by this that the true causes of death are found. 
The cadaver is then a book, in which the described diseased pro¬ 
cess can be read, and where every organ represents as many pages, 
on which are written the pathological lesions resulting from it. 
It is in many cases a confirmation of a diagnosis and a gratifica¬ 
tion to the practitioner. But if the diagnosis is disproved by the 
post-mortem, a much greater amount of valuable information is 
obtained, and a most beneficial teaching secured. Bost-mortems 
ought to be carefully made, and above all most minutely 
recorded. 
Some time ago, in an editorial note in the American Veter¬ 
inary Review, relating to an excellent article of our friend Dr. 
Clement, I called the attention of my readers to the record of 
three reports of post-mortems, which he had made, and which he 
published as an example of the manner in which this work ought 
to be done. I will not take any more of your time by reading 
these, but will strongly urge you to read them in the Reference 
Hand-book of Medical Science, 
