Outlines of medical jurisprudence for India / by J.D.B. Gribble and Patrick Hehir.

  • Gribble, J. D. B. (James Dunning Baker), -1906.
Date:
1898
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Outlines of medical jurisprudence for India / by J.D.B. Gribble and Patrick Hehir. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    122/576 (page 92)
    OUTLlMiS Qjf MKDICA), .1 UltlSl'KljDENCK. [sEC. 1. A body putrefies more rapid- ly in air than in water or after burial, (iiven similar tempera- tures, the degree of putrefaction developed in a body during one week's exposure to air will about correspond to that deve- loped after submersion for a fort- night, or after burial in a deep grave for a period of eight weeks. A naked body putrefies more rapidly than a clothed one. De- composition will be less rapid in parts where the clothes fit tightly le. g.. in the feet with boots on), or if the clothes worn be imper- meable to air. In a leaden coffin, putrefaction is slow from the oxygen soon be- coming exhausted. Thus, in the case of bodies buried in lead, the faces may be recognisable after the lapse of long periods of time. 4. Combined action of wurmt.li , ■moisture, and air.—It is impor- tant to consider the action of these jointly as well as separately : — Moist air promotes putrefac- tion. Stagnant air promotes putre- faction. A moist cold air in winter as- sists putrefaction more efficiently than a dry hot air in summer. A moist, hot, stagnant air is the most favourable atmospheric condition for putrefaction. Thus, of the three (air, warm th, and moisture), the presence of moisture is a more important means of promoting putrefaction than either warmth or air. 5. Effects of Burial.—Putre- faction is promoted by— (a) The body having been kept for a long time exposed to the air before inter* ment. Besides the mere action of oxygen,insccts, during exposure, may 4 Combined action of warmth, moixture.j and air.—Dry air re- tards putrefaction. Air in motion retards putrefac- tion. A dry hot air in summer re- tards putrefaction more efficient- ly than a moist cold air in winter. A dry cold air in rapid motion is the least favourable atmosphe^ rip condition for putrefaction. The removal of moisture from the body by whatever augments evaporation (as ?.g., by warmth, free atmospheric currents, etc.,) constitutes the most important means of retarding putrefaction. 5. Effects of Burial.—^Putre- faction is retarded by— (a) Burial within a short time after death.