Phœnomena displayed on the dissection of the internal parts.
The ample directions which have been already offered upon this subject, (vol. iii, p. 45) will in a great degree supersede the necessity of very minute details on the present occasion. There are, however, some few phenomena that exclusively relate to the evidence of infanticide, and must accordingly receive a due share of our attention. Certain peculiarities, moreover, exist in the mode of conducting the dissection of an infant, which demand some explanation. Cavities of the mouth, œsophagus, larynx, and trachea.
It will be adviseable to commence our incision through the integuments, from the under lip to the top of the sternum, passing quite through the former part; another incision is to follow the inferior margin of the lower jaw; then the triangular portions thus marked out are to be separated from the parts beneath; the head should be bent back in order to put the soft parts that are to come under the knife upon the stretch. The jaw may now be divided at its symphysis, so as to separate it into two lateral portions, which may be turned aside by dividing with a scalpel all the parts which adhere to its internal surface. The object of this arrangement is to bring into view the cavities of the mouth, œsophagus, larynx, and trachea, the condition of which is so frequently connected with the death of the child that they ought never to escape examination. The position of the tongue should be noticed, and the contents of the mouth, if any, ought to be recorded, for cases have occurred in which extraneous matters,
