_Whether any discharge issues from the mouth, nostrils, ears, or any other orifice._—The appearance of froth about the mouth indicates that the death of the person has not been instantaneous, but sudden, either from apoplexy, epilepsy, or any other violent cause, _see Appendix_, _p._ 273. In drowned persons the mouth and nostrils are covered with foam. In epileptic paroxysms there is sometimes an involuntary discharge of fæces, urine, and semen; the evacuation of the fæces very generally occurs in cases of strangulation, and sometimes in those of apoplexy. The appearance of blood flowing from the ears would indicate a violent death from some external cause.
_Apparent age of the deceased._—It is important to notice this circumstance, as it will not only assist us in identifying the individual, but, at the same time, point out the diseases of which he was most susceptible, and those of which he was less liable. In relation to such an object the question of age was keenly debated on the trial of _Donellan_, for an account of which we must refer the reader to the evidence printed in the _Appendix_. Apoplexy rarely occurs except in the middle or decline of life. _Hippocrates_ says chiefly between the 40th and 50th year. _Aphor._ _Sect._ vi, 57.
_Description of his person, as to bulk, stature, obesity, muscular powers, &c._—Many are the reasons which render a full and accurate investigation of these points an extremely important part of the inquiry. To say nothing of their use in identifying the individual, they will point out the diseases to which such a habit of body would render him liable; and we shall be enabled to deduce a general inference as to the probable state of his health. If suspicions should exist against any individual, we shall be thus prepared to arrive at some probable conclusion with regard to the degree of resistance which the deceased might be able to offer; by comparing which with the powers of the supposed assailant, some valuable circumstantial evidence may be elicited.
_Conformation of the neck as to shortness, thickness, &c._—The apoplectic conformation may be said to be indicated by a large head, red face, short and thick neck, broad shoulders, capacious thorax, prominent abdomen, low stature, robust limbs, and considerable corpulence; this last indication, however, is liable to many exceptions, for dry and spare constitutions, if any confidence is to be placed in the comparative tables of _Rochoux_, are more frequently even attacked with apoplexy, than the plethoric. Under this subject we may notice that the habitual use of tight ligatures disposes to the disease. _Portal_ speaks of an ambassador who was attacked with apoplexy, after having long employed general compression, for the reduction of excessive corpulence. _Dr. Donald Monro_ states that he has known soldiers carried off by apoplexy, in consequence of stricture on the veins of the neck, from their having been obliged to wear their cravats too tight. _Winslow_ has made a similar observation in the Memoirs of the Academy of Sciences for the year 1741.