ought to notice the quantity of blood contained in the cavities of this organ, as well as its colour, and state of coagulation, especially in relation to the arterial and venous sides of the heart; the indications which such an examination may afford will be fully appreciated by referring to our chapter upon "the causes and phenomena of sudden death," and that upon "suffocation." In examining the cavities of the heart, especially the ventricles, it not unfrequently happens, that a mass of coagulated lymph, of a yellowish colour, and of considerable firmness, is found to occupy them; this phenomenon, from the manner in which its processes extend into the fasciculi of muscular fibres of the heart, has acquired the name of "polypus of the heart," and was regarded by the older anatomists as a very common and fatal disease. It is necessary to observe that the phenomenon is now better understood, and it is universally admitted to be the result of slow coagulation after death. The state of the valves of the heart should be attentively inspected, for a disease in these parts may have been the cause of the sudden death which we are endeavouring to discover. The three semi-lunar valves at the origin of the aorta, and the mitral valves, are sometimes in a state of ossification; those placed at the commencement of the pulmonary artery, and the tricuspid are less disposed to take on morbid action than the preceding ones that occupy the arterial side; indeed, there are very few well authenticated instances of such a change. Such a state of the valves of the heart necessarily places the life of the individual in extreme jeopardy, a rupture may be induced, and thus prove instantly fatal, or the action of the heart may be suddenly arrested, and a fatal syncope be the result; and from the suddenness with which
