Description and explanation of the method of performing post-mortem examinations in the dead-house of the Berlin Charité Hospital : with especial reference to medico-legal practice / by Rudolf Virchow ; translated from the second German edition by T.P. Smith.

  • Rudolf Virchow
Date:
1880
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Description and explanation of the method of performing post-mortem examinations in the dead-house of the Berlin Charité Hospital : with especial reference to medico-legal practice / by Rudolf Virchow ; translated from the second German edition by T.P. Smith. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    28/164 (page 16)
    10 by simply looking at tbe surface of a section, could pro- perly estimate wliich of tbe small vessels were filled, and tbe extent of tbeir fulness. But tbere are many parts of tbe body—and tbis refers especially to tbe mucous and serons membranes; consequently, to tbe majority of tbe internal snrfaces—wbicb can very easily be examined, and in wbicb, in important cases, tbe attempt sbonld always be made to ascertain positively tbe nature of tbe vessels con- cerned. It is certainly easier to pronounce an opinion tban to give such a description; but tbe experienee of tbe sligbt Utility of such opinions bas caused tbe Committee of Sciences to include tbe following direction in tbeir new Begulations, section 28, para. 5. “ In all cases a statement must be given witb reference to tbe amount of blood eontained in eacb important part; and wbat is required is a terse description, not merely an opinion coucbed in such terms as ‘profuse,’ ‘moderate,’ ‘sligbt,’ ‘ mucb reddened,’ ‘ full of blood,’ ‘ bloodless,’ etc.” Tbis explanation may suffice to illustrate tbe way in wbicb Statements sbould be made witb reference to tbe colour of tbe exposed abdominal viscera, and to wbat extent it is important tbat tbis sbould be determined immediately after tbe abdomen is opened. I will only make oiLe more remark—tbat every manipulation of tbo intestines and otber parts of tbe abdomen, by wbicb tbeir Position is altered, tbeir mutual pressure diminisbed or increased, or even any direct pressure witb tbe band, alters tbe amount of blood eontained, and not only of tbis, but also of tbe gaseous, fluid, or more solid matter eontained in separate portions of tbe intestines. Still more important tban tbe determination of tbe colour is tbe immediate ascertaining of any foreign sub- stance wbicb tbe abdomen may bappen to contain. If tbere be gas, it is veiy obvious tbat its existence can be generally proved only at tbe moment of opening tbe abdo- men. If it be a liquid, tbere is tbe danger of losing some of it unless it be collected at once. In every case, bow-