Chapter XVII: Appendix: to the Police Instructions as to Corpse Inspection and time

of Burial, of 20th November, 1885.

I.

The purpose of corpse inspection is to prohibit the concealment of deaths by violent means or resulting from medical malpractices; to detect infectious diseases, and the establishment of correct death lists; and particularly _to prevent the burial of people only apparently dead_. For this purpose each corpse is to be closely examined on the first inspection as to any signs of death, both in the front and the back of the body.

II.

The Inspectors have primarily to establish the actuality of death by observing and notifying all the symptoms accompanying or following the decease.

Indications of death may be noted:--

(1) If there is no indication of any pulsation noticeable, either in the region of the heart, at the neck, at the temples, or the forearm.

(2) If the eyelids when pulled asunder remain open, and the eyes themselves appear sunken into their sockets, dulled, and lustreless, also if the eyeballs feel soft and relaxed.

(3) If parts of the body are pale and cold, if chin and nose are pointed, if cheeks and temples are sunken.

(4) If the lower jaw hangs down and immediately drops again if pushed up, or if the muscles feel hard and stiff (rigidity).

(5) If the skin of the fingers held against one another, held towards light, do not appear reddish.

(6) If a feather or burning candle held against the mouth show no sign of motion, or if there is no sign of moisture upon a looking-glass held before the mouth.

(7) If on different parts of the body, particularly the neck, back, or posterior, or the undersurface of the extremities there are bluish-red spots (death spots) visible.

(8) If the skin, particularly at the sides of the stomach, show a dirty-green discoloration (decomposition spots).

The non-Medical Inspector has to observe at least all the symptoms 1 to 4.

In doubtful cases the Medical Inspectors are advised to test the muscles and nerves by electric currents.

IV.

If the inspection gives rise to suspicions of apparent death (Scheintod), the inspector must (if he is not himself a doctor) immediately call for the assistance of a practised physician, so as to establish the actual condition, and to adopt the necessary measures for resuscitation, as follows:--

(1) Opening of the windows, and warming the room.

(2) Efforts at artificial respiration.

(3) Applications of warm mustard-plaisters to the chest and the extremities.

(4) Rubbing with soft brushes, with cloths saturated in vinegar, or spirit of camphor, also with hot woollen cloths.

(5) Irritation of the throat with a feather.

(6) Smelling sal-ammoniac.

(7) Dropping from time to time a few drops of “extract of balm” or similar essences into the mouth.

Unless medical aid has meanwhile arrived, the application of these measures must be continued until the apparently dead comes, back to life, and begins to swallow, in which case he ought to have warm broth, tea, or wine, or until there is absolutely no doubt as to the total ineffectiveness of all attempts at reanimation.