3. Circumstances to be learnt by the interrogation of competent Witnesses.
Report of witnesses.—Is the body in the same situation
and condition as when first discovered.—Can the
body be identified.—Period at which the deceased
was last seen, by whom, in what place, under what
circumstances, and in whose society.—Are there any
moral reasons to excite the suspicion of his having
committed suicide.—What was his occupation.—Had
he lately met with any disappointment or misfortune.—Had
he appeared dejected or melancholy.—Are
there any persons with whom he associated,
who had any remarkable interest in his death.
4. Circumstances to be learnt by anatomical dissection.
Practical instructions for performing it with success.—Dissection of the Brain and its appendages.—Method
of opening the head.—Appearance of the skull-cap,
whether fractured or in a state of disease.—Whether
any and what extravasated matter is visible
on the dura mater.—State of the meningeal vessels
in relation to sanguineous congestion.—Substance of
the brain.—State of the ventricles.—Base of the
cranium, whether fractured.—Cervical vertebræ,
whether dislocated.
Dissection of the Thorax, Abdomen, and Uterus—Manner of opening the chest.—Whether any fluid be found in that cavity.—Appearance of the lungs.—Condition of the bronchiæ.—Pericardium, whether it contains more than a usual proportion of fluid.—General appearance of the viscera.—Particular condition of the intestines.—The stomach, its appearance, and contents.—The duodenum, colon, rectum.—State of the liver—Gall bladder, and ducts.—The spleen-kidneys.—Organs of generation.—Uterus.—Fallopian tubes.—Ovaria.—External parts of generation.
