The signs of drowning medico-legally considered.

  • Forrest, James, M.D.
Date:
1870
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The signs of drowning medico-legally considered. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    too, fell with great severity on the brain and sinuses, indicating rather the congestion of exposure than of drowning. It is more than probable, that while attempting to get a drink from the ditch he fell into it, and then, losing all control of himself by his strength failing him, he could not get out of it again. Or he may have, during his intoxication, fallen accidentally into the ditch and then swallowed the water during the shock of immersion. In either case, he must have regained strength sufficient to place himself in a position safe from drowning, but not sufficient to enable him to get out of the ditch. Case G5. J. R, a mason, aged 25, was found dead on the 25th March, 1859, in a rivulet or burn on the farm of Braeval, in the parish of Aberfoyle. The body was found lying on its back, with the head down the burn and the feet in a conduit under a wall through which the bum flowed. The burn, for the space of about six feet where the body lay, was narrowed, and here it was not more than sufficient to admit the body. The burn was shallow, and, as the body lay in it, the water did not rise above the ears and sides of the body, leaving the face and upper parts of the chest and abdomen uncovered. The body was examined on the 2<Sth by two surgeons, and the following is the substance of their report of the post mortem appearances observed by them, stated in their own language. Externally, they found “one large contused bruise upon the left temple, about two inches in length and one inch in breadth,’' and “ another contused bruise on the left side of the neck, an inch in length and an inch and a half in breadth.” They found also slight “abrasions” all over the head, but more particularly over its left side, some slight scratches on the back of the fingers and hands, the pupils “widely dilated,” and blood flowing from the left ear. The brain was much congested, and on removing the dura mater, “ two ounces of extravasated blood gushed directly from the left side of the head.” The brain and lungs were much congested. “ The right compartments of the heart were congested, and there were coagula in the left ventricle.” “ The liver was highly congested. The contents of the stomach were fluid, and about six ounces in measure.”—(MS. Report.)