BURN, TWO HOURS AFTER DEATH, BY IRON AT A DULL RED HEAT.

BURN, TWO HOURS AFTER DEATH, BY TIN CAN CONTAINING BOILING WATER.

and mentions an increase in the number of the leucocytes, together with the presence of hæmoglobin and melanin.

Hoppe Seyler meets with similar results and arrives at the same conclusions in his observations.

Ponfik,' on the contrary, is doubtful of the constant presence of some of these conditions and also of their diagnostic value. Seliger' confirms the conclusions of Wertheim, in that he describes the presence of crystalline bodies and of dark discolorations (melanin).

Some spectroscopic analyses have disclosed the presence of bands additional to those of normal blood. The lack of uniformity of conditions described and of conclusions reached leaves the subject in a position of uncertainty. Examination of the blood of those dying from burns has not been so extensively and minutely followed as to enable us to decide questions which may arise in any case.

WAS DEATH ACCIDENTAL, SUICIDAL, OR HOMICIDAL ?

Nearly all deaths occurring from burning are accidental, very few homicidal, and hardly more than a few exceptional cases suicidal..

It is important in cases of legal investigation to note the position of the body when found and its relation to the apparent source of fire; the parts of the body and clothing burned, etc.; evidences of violence should be carefully observed, such as contusions, fractures of bones, wounds of the soft parts, evidences of strangling, etc. (Case 22). These should be specially sought in the site of the burned portions, as burning and cremation of the victim are sometimes a resort to conceal homicide. In considering the character of the apparent wounds, it must be remembered that extensive injuries, resembling wounds, may result from the effects of fire,' and these must be carefully distinguished.

Inability to detect special marks of violence need not preclude the possibility of its commission and of its being a possible cause of death (Case 19). The parts burned, the character and

1 Berliner klinische Wochenschrift, 1876, No. 17; 1877, No. 46.

'Eulenberg's Vierteljahr. f. ger

icht. Med., xlii., p. 47.

See page 643 of this section.

depth of the burns, and their relation to the apparent source of burning, with consideration of their probable simultaneous exposure, are all circumstances of weight in forming an opinion. The position of the body in relation to the fire should also be considered. In accidental burning, except in cases of intoxication, epileptic seizures, or other sources of helplessness, the victim is quite likely to be found at a distance from the fire, owing to his efforts to escape.

CASES.

CASE 1. Death from Cold. Accidental (Dr. Hilty in Caspar's Vierteljahrschrift, II., 1865, p. 140).-Male, æt. 52; intoxicated. Severe winter weather; death from exposure. Post mortem: Blood crimson; both sides of heart full; internal organs congested.

CASE 2. Criminal Exposure to Cold (Ann. d'Hygiene, 1868, Vol. II., p. 173).—Girl, unmarried; sudden delivery when at stool. She stated that she had fainted, and found the child dead when she re covered. The child had breathed and the cord was cut. No marks of violence. Evidence of death being caused by wilful exposure. Imprisoned.

CASE 3. Ill-Treatment and Criminal Exposure (Ann. d'Hygiene, Vol. VI., p. 207, 1831).—Man and wife tried for manslaughter of a child, æt. 11. Wife the stepmother. Starvation and ill-treatment by mother, followed by forcing the child, in a cold December day, to get into a barrel of cold water and remain there. Though removed by a servant, she was again placed in the cold water by the mother, death resulting. The woman was sentenced to life imprisonment.

CASE 4. Sunstroke, High Temperature, etc. (Dr. A. Flint, Jr., New York Med. Jour., 1872, p. 168; Dr. Katzenbach, New York Med. Jour., 1873, p. 93).

CASE 5. Scald, Drinking from a Tea-kettle. Accidental (Mr. Sympson, Brit. Med. Jour., 1875, June 19th, p. 809).-Boy, æt. 21 years, drank boiling water from spout of tea-kettle. Inflammation of pharynx and glottis. Tracheotomy; recovered.

CASE 6. Fatal Scald of Insane Person in a Bath (Brit. Med. Jour., April, 1871, p. 456).—An insane patient fatally scalded in a bath, through carelessness of an attendant. The charge of manslaughter brought against the attendant.

CASE 7. Fatal Burn of Genitals. Accidental (Caspar, "Forensic Med.," Vol. I., p. 315).—Female child, 2 years, fell on a hot flatiron. Genitals burned; died in eleven days. Vagina gangrenous; blood fluid; lungs anæmic and pale; trachea bright red, etc.