rs--contused, lacerated, and punctured--may be
produced. There may be burns, vesications, and ecchymoses; arborescent
markings are not uncommon. The hair may be singed or burnt and the
clothing damaged. Rigor mortis is very rapid in its onset and transient.
Post mortem there are no characteristic signs, but the blood may be dark
in colour and fluid. The presence or absence of a storm may assist the
diagnosis.

Injuries by electrical currents of high pressure are not uncommon;
speaking generally, 1,000 to 2,000 volts will kill. In America, where
electricity is adopted as the official means of destroying criminals,
1,500 volts is regarded as the lethal dose, but there are many instances
of persons having been exposed to higher voltages without bad effects.
The alternating current is supposed to be more fatal than the
continuous. Much depends on whether the contact is good (perspiring
hands or damp clothes). Death has been attributed in these cases to
respiratory arrest or sudden cessation of the heart's action. The best
treatment is artificial respiration, but the inhalation of nitrite of
amyl may prove useful. Rescuers must be careful that they, also, do not
receive a shock. The patient should be handled with india-rubber gloves
or through a blanket thrown over him.

XXII.--DEATH FROM COLD OR HEAT

=Cold.=--The weak, aged, or infants, readily succumb to low
temperatures. The symptoms are increasing lassitude, drowsiness, coma,
with sometimes illusions of sight. Post mortem, bright red patches are
found on the skin surface, and the blood remains fluid for long.

=Heat.=--Death may result from syncope, the result of exposure to great
heat.

=Sunstroke.=--The person loses consciousness and falls down insensible;
the body temperature may be 112 deg. F., the pulse is full, and a peculiar
pungent odour is given off from the skin. Coma, convulsions with
(rarely) delirium, may precede death. _Treatment_ consists in lowering
the body temperature by application of cold cloths, stimulants,
strychnine or digitalin hypodermically.

XXIII.--PREGNANCY

The signs of the existence of pregnancy are of two kinds, uncertain and
certain, or maternal and foetal. Amongst the former class are
included--Cessation of menstruation (which may occur without pregnancy);
morning vomiting; salivation; enlargement of the breasts and of the
abdomen; quickening. It must be borne in mind that every woman with a
big abdomen is not n