, 1880-12-26

10AEt'~AN' 4A !Ao Nal4Italkft ~ 1Ettlatl3
perceived by the consequent finridlty of sur
race. Such sensible reaction to direct Irrfta-
ton implies the concurrence Of several de-
terminate ,a acts in the STRUCTURES directly In
remote parts. Thus the tissue elements
must possess responsive power to become
exalted IN function; and, to solicit surplus
OF eloou.lngfed1ents, they nlnst also contain
continuity with the presiding nerve
centre, whereby the peripheral impression
may be centripetally transmitted along the
anerent nerve to this point, thence reflected
along the vase motor nerve, causing relaxation
OF Gne artertolar muscles, enlargement of
calibre, and a freer flow of blood into the
part. Cardiac contractions are also necessary
to propel the corpusc1es into the capillarips,
as the attraction of the tissue-elements for
tnes" minute bodies can act only at insen-
sible distances.
Mans structure conceals the changes
which occur within the minute blood vessels,
but some animals admit
THE EXAMINATION OF TIE INTERIOR PROC
.~ESsES
which accompany and conduce to the external
manifestations of capillary congestion. OBJ
serving the circulation iii the web Of frogs
foot under the microscope, fluctuations in Its
current are noticed independent of the hearts
action. The e6rpuscles, perhaps flowing uni
tornly at first, may slacken their speed, then
oscillate, or even retrograde. Apply an
irrltant to the part, the flow soon increases,
puscies. pass through in given time; ;
they also show tendency to cohere as
well as to adhere to the walls OF the
vessels, which may proceed 50 far as to
mission Of blood. As the effect passes oil,
the corpuscles gradually separate, move on,
and at length the circulation resumes its
normal state. Such Investigation explains
the nature Of the changes which occur In the
capillaries of the human skin under artificial
stimulation.
Heat, which is the most potent and ayalia-
bic form of irrltant, when applied to the
skin SO as to considerably elevate its temper
afnr ABOVE tho normal point causes first an
toward @ the cireun!|erence. a S rhis rsoua.ty red.
ness can be temporarily. displaced. leaving
White impression, which disappears on re-
floridity with a rapldity commensurate with
the activity OF the, capillary circulation. BY
Increasing the heat or prolonging its action
the color becomes more distinct, till at the
point of greatest intensity the cuticIe. be-
comes detached from its subjacent CUTS by
the gradual exudation and accumulation Of a
fluid which thus forms true yasicle. A
spurious yesicle may be similarly produced
on the dead subject: but such is a purely
physical aud local effect, entirely different
from the more comprehensive action and
characters OF the physiological process.
In pnst-1norteni vesication the contents
are generally gaseous from decomposi-
tion; and even II fluid, from intiltration
this Is always serum, unlike the vital fbrino-
albu.ninous solution c0agulabte by heat. The
pathognonlonic distinction, however, is the
DIFFERENCE PRESENTED By TIE UNDER
LYING cuTIs
on removing the loosely adherent cnticle.
This, after death, has an u1lalterable yellow
isil-whltci crisp, horny appearance, in OBJ
I've congestion, which can be repeatedly dis
placed and renewed by recurrent pressure.
Although circulation Is q vital necessity,
the chemical products ofsitS activity would
the concurrent exercise Of the respiratory
and other functions.
Tissues, such as the nervo-muscular, .,hich
perform some specific action. may be classed
IS active in contrast to passive, such as the
mechanical office When the ultimate .partl-
cles OF passive tissues are fully developed,
they remain in that state for, longer OF
shorter period, and then gradually decay,
Active tissues, during their development. ap-
ty, they are capable OF Instantly expending
in the manifestation Of their special DOW
ers.. Such exertions are inevitably at
tended a. by degradatiye transforlnations ga
movements and their associated vital
combinations involve the expenditure
Of nervo~muscu1ar energy, and consequent
production OF simpler compounds, such as
iii the blood would cause certain death. Such
fatal contingency Is prevented by the cir.
culatory forces propelltng the carbonized
blood into the pulmonary capillaries, where
an interchange with the oxygen OF the air
takes place through the intervening mem
brane till the vesicles become surcharged with
carbonic acid, which is then expelled b., the
exploratory torces through the anterior open-
ings of the air passages, where its detention
is evidence Of vitality, while its utter ab-
proof Of the opposit condition. For, though
certain cold-blooded animals can exhale q
sufficient quantity Of this product through
their skin to permit reduced vitality, In man
such cutaneous Transportation is exceedingly
minute and altogether inadequate to the
maintenance OF life, and itmay continue even
after death as q merely physical property OF
tissue.
1ENERvATIoN
is blended with and controls all the vital
operations, being conspicu4usly implicated
concerned III the various movements OF res
piration and circulation. The freQuently-re-
peated transmission Of intense electric cur
rents Is the most powerful stimulus OF con-
tractIIity; and, when such measure fails to
excite contraction in muscles essential to life,
death must have occurred:
When rigidity and putrefacti0n are actually
established, they may be- accepted as infalli-
bic post-mortem Indications. The former
state arises from the muscles and other
soft tissues becoming SO stlffened as
to resist Election of the joints the muscles
Of the lower jaw and neck being generally
first involved, those OF the lower extremity
last. It might probably be confounded WITH l
stiffcning from extreme cold or spasrns; put
frozen limbs yield q creaking noise when
fouibly fiexed, from breakage OF the con-
gealed moisture, and spasm0dlc contractlon
resumes it's morbid position on remova! OF
the correcting force. Not so postmortem
1igidlty.
Putrefaction succeeds rigfdity as BLUSH
green tint OF skin, commencing usually On
the lower part of the abdomen and spreading
over the body. Similar gangEenous appear
ances may occur during llfc; oat'
besides their more circumscribed ex-
tent, the invariable. presence OF
line OF dlsplaceable redness at the confines
of the living tissues is q constant and cfarac-
teristic distinction.
The desideraluul, however, Is
SOME 1NFALL1DLE PROOF OF DEATH
whereby this state can at once be decided
without waiting for the more tardy super
vent1on Of these positively postmortem phe-
nomena
Neither the cadaveric aspect nor coldness
and liyidity Of service are constant or une-
auiyocal signs. The cessation OF the hearts
action beyond five minutes is undoubted cyl
dence: but It Is impossible to acoustlcailY
iatnrmine this with absolute certainty.