Remarks on the alleged fatal case of chloroform-inhalation.

  • Simpson, James Young, 1811-1870.
Date:
[1848]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Remarks on the alleged fatal case of chloroform-inhalation. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University.

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    MOBRID APPEARANCES SEEN ON THE 15GDT OF THE GIRL ALLEGED TO HAVE HIED FROM THE EFFECTS OF CHLO- ROFORM. (Extracted verbatim from the official evidence, in Lancet of Feb. 4.) 1. Heart and blood.— The heart contained dark fluid blood in both its cavities ; very little in the left. 2. Lungs not collapsed on opening the chest. 3. Lungs congested.— The external appearance of both luags over the whole surface, but especially at the inferior portions, was that of organs in a very high state of congestion. 4. Bronchi.— The pulmonary tis- sue was filled with bloody froth, which was also found in the interior of the bronchi mixed with mueus. 5. Larynx and epiglottis. — On examining the larynx and trachea, the epiglottis was found reddened at the summit, of a vermilion hue. The mucous membrane of the larynx was redder than natural, mottled with vascular patches. The sinuses of the larynx contained a good deal of dark mucus. 6. Parenchymatous abdominal or- gans.— The liver, kidneys, and spleen were more congested than usual. 7. Brain.— The brain, externally and internally, more congested than usual. Morbid Appearances seen on the bodies of those who have died from Simple Asphyxia rapidly INDUCED. (Extracted verbatim from Library of Medicine (1840), Vol. III. p. 221.) 1. Heart and blood The accumu- lation of blood in the right side of the heart, and in the vessels connected with it, namely, the systemic veins and pulmonary artery, and the com- paratively empty state of the left cavities, as well as of the pulmonary veins and systemic arteries, are the appearances most characteristic of asphyxia. The blood is usually found fluid. 2. Lungs not collapsed.— The lungs are greatly distended, and expand to meet over the pericardium. 3. Lungs congested.— When ex- posed to view they present a dark brown, sometimes almost blackish, hue externally; but their parenchyma exhibits a redder tint when cut into. The engorgement is here in the arte- rial system ; but it is occasioned by the accumulation of venous blood, of which large dark thick drops flow out when incisions are made into the sub- stance, and slight pressure employed. 4. Bronchi.— A mucous froth rarely sanguinolent covers the lining membranes of the larynx, trachea, and bronchi; this membrane is some- times deepened in colour (Appear- ances after Asphyxia from Submer- sion, p. 244). 5. Larynx and epiglottis.— Venous congestion is usually well marked in the root of the tongue, which often appears as if injected. It extends also to the mucous membrane of the larynx and epiglottis, of the trachea and bronchi, which is deeply marked by vascular turgescence. 6. Parenchymatous abdominal or- gans.—The venous congestion is very perceptible in all organs which are largely supplied with blood. Thus the liver and spleen are in a state of engorgement. 7. Brain.— The veins and sinuses of the head of course partake of the general venous congestion. And, in well-marked cases, an unusual number of red points is seen on slicing the brain. The above table shows that all the special morbid appearances observed in the chloroform case, as reported to the Coroner, are.