Page:Medical jurisprudence (IA medicaljurisprud03pari).pdf/72

 face will be found encrusted with coaguable lymph.—The condition of the blood-vessels forms the next object of research; and they should be examined previous to the removal of the heart, as to their calibre, and thickness, and whether any inflammatory indications are observable, or any aneurism; this latter disease has often existed without exciting any suspicion during life. In opening the body of George II, the aorta was found callous at the lower border of its curvature, and so dilated at its upper border, that it was as thin as the finest paper, in which part the rupture took place, and which was succeeded by a fatal hemorrhage; and yet the king, before his death, had not the slightest symptom that appeared to deserve much attention. In every case of sudden death the heart should be removed from the body for the purpose of examination, and no anatomical evidence should be received as conclusive, unless such an operation has been duly performed. For this purpose, the blood-vessels should be first secured by ligatures, for it is very essential to prevent the effusion of blood; and, having then separated it from its attachments, we should proceed to examine the organ in the following manner. Slit open, longitudinally, by means of scissars, the right auricle, at its foreside, then make an incision from the mouth of the pulmonary artery to the point of the heart, guarding against the accident of injuring the two sets of valves; now cut open the whole length of the pulmonary artery, except at its beginning, and at its valves, which ought to be left entire; lastly, open the pulmonary veins, and then the left auricle and ventricle, in a similar manner with what was done to the corresponding parts of the right side.

We beg to direct the attentive consideration of the anatomist to this important part of the inquiry; he