_By Sulphuric Acid._—There does not seem to be any lesions of the
arteries after death, as the stomach is the only part which might
be perforated, as also the adjoining viscera might be blackened and
softened by the action of the acid. The blood is thickened, sirupy
acid, and the body may be partially preserved from decomposition.
_Nitric Acid._—In this case the stomach will be found to contain a
viscous, sanguinolent yellow or greenish fluid, which must be got rid
of before injecting. The lungs will also be found highly congested,
and the blood must therefore be emptied out. The acid, Nitrate of
Mercury, and Muriatic Acid, produce about the same changes after
death as those of Nitric Acid.
_Oxalic Acid._—The stomach will be found to contain a dark, brown,
mucous fluid, but in some cases of death from this poison there are
no well marked lesions.
_Oxalate of Potash_ produces the same changes.
_Potash-Soda._—These alkalies and their carbonates are rarely used as
poisons. Cicatrices and strictures of the œsophagus and stomach may
be produced.
_Ammonia._—The vapor of strong ammonia may cause death from
inflammation of the larynx and air passages. But the strong solution
of Ammonia produces corrosion of the mouth, œsophagus and stomach.
_Nitrate of Potash._—In some cases, there is intense congestion of
the stomach, and sometimes perforation of that organ.
_Phosphorus._—The post mortem appearances vary with the length
of time which lapses before death. If death takes place in a few
hours, the only lesions are those produced by the direct action of
the poison. The contents of the stomach, which must be evacuated,
are often mixed with blood, and may have the peculiar smell of
phosphorus. It is said that the mucous membrane of the stomach may
emit a phosphorescent light in the dark. If death does not ensue
until after several days, the lesions are more marked; the body is
usually jaundiced, and there may be found a congestion of the liver,
or there may be a small hemorrhage in the liver tissue.
_Arsenic._—The stomach may be empty, or contain mucous mixed with
blood, and the intestines contain a white, rice-water fluid, which
must be emptied out.
_Corrosive Sublimate._—The stomach is usually contracted; there
are inflamed and congested, sometimes _gangrenous_, _patches_ of
the mucous coat. The intestines may appear normal, or there may be
patches of congestion. In both preceding cases it must be borne in
mind that the poison may be absorbed by the skin, therefore the
operator should use great care in manipulating the stomach and bowels.
_Vegetable Irritants._—Aloes, colocynth, jalap, gamboge, scammony,
savin, croton oil, colchicum, veratria, turpentine; all these drugs
produce congestion and inflammation of the stomach and bowels.
_Sulphate of Copper—Verdigris._—The post mortem appearances have
only been observed in a moderate number of cases; the stomach may be
unchanged, or there may be patches of gangrene and inflammation, and
even perforation.
_Tartar Emetic._—In this instance the lesions are not constant, but
the lungs may be engorged with blood.
_Opium._—The post mortem appearances of persons who have been killed
by the preparations of opium, are negative. Intense congestion of
the brain and lungs are spoken of by most authors, but they seem to
depend chiefly on the way in which the patient dies, rather than on
any specific action of the drug.
_Prussic Acid._—The skin is usually livid, and the muscles
contracted; the stomach is congested, and the veinous system
unusually full of blood. The most characteristic condition, when
this acid is present, is the odor of bitter almonds exhaled from the
stomach and tissues.
_Alcohol._—The different preparations of alcohol may, when taken
in large quantities, produce sudden coma and death. The bodies are
said to resist decomposition for an unusual length of time. There is
congestion, and sometimes extravasation of the blood in the brain;
the veins everywhere are full of blood, and the bladder distended
with urine. Chronic alcoholic poisoning is of a different nature; in
this latter case the brain appears normal, but the lungs are usually
congested.
_Strychnia—Nux Vomica._—In cases of poisoning from these, the
cramping and contraction of the muscles relax after death, but the
brain is always congested with blood.
_Corium, Aconite, Belladona, Lobelia, Digitalis, Stramonium,
Veratrum._—All these poisons produce congestion of the brain, lungs
and stomach.
_Carbonic Oxide._—This gas is produced from burning charcoal, and
forms the poisonous ingredient of illuminating gas. For post mortem
appearances, see death from suffocation.
_Carbolic Acid._—A number of deaths from this poison have been
reported in the last few years. In this case, the stomach, lungs and
intestines are intensely congested.
_From Lightning._—In persons killed by lightning the internal viscera
may be so lacerated and disorganized that the injection of the
embalming fluid may be rendered impossible.
_Drowning._—Persons who have been drowned usually die from asphyxia.
The lungs are generally congested, the stomach contains some of
the fluid in which the person may have been drowned, and must be
emptied. The abdominal viscera may also be congested, but the blood
generally remains fluid throughout the body, and is easily removed.
_Strangulation._—In this instance the carotid arteries are generally
ruptured; the heart, the lungs and the viscera, are usually
congested. In death from suffocation the same symptoms are present.
In cases of sunstroke, decomposition sets in very rapidly, and
requires an immediate check; the lungs will frequently be found
congested.
_Epidemic, Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis._—In many cases the skin of
the body and face may show purpuric patches. The rigor mortis is
pronounced and long continued, but decomposition sets in early.
The intestines may be swollen, and even ulcerated, and the lungs
congested.
The character of the disease almost precluded the idea of preserving
the body after death. However, should the request be insisted upon,
too many precautions cannot be taken, for the disease is of a
virulent character.