=Effusions= may be found in the pericardium, as in other serous cavities. When the result of _pericarditis_, the fluid will often contain floating shreds of lymph. Sometimes the fluid will be found highly albuminous, and again bloody or mixed with pus. This effusion may have taken place so early as to have prevented any adhesion of parts; or it may not have commenced until union had taken place at certain parts, when, from the distension of the sac, these bands may be found greatly elongated, and stretching across the cavity in various directions. When the effusion is but part of a _general dropsy_, it will be clear, while the surfaces of the membrane will be smooth and destitute of evidences of inflammation. In quantity, the fluid found in these cases may vary from a few ounces to a pint or more. _Blood_ may sometimes be found filling the pericardium, either from a wound of its walls, rupture of the heart, or from the bursting of an aneurism. In scurvy, purpura, etc., small patches of extravasated blood may be found in its walls. =Morbid Growths.= The more common of these, found in connection with the pericardium, are _cancers_. They are usually secondary in their appearance, and generally will have first developed in the mediastinum. _Fibrous_ or _cystic_ tumors have been noticed in a few rare cases, while _tubercles_ of the miliary form, are not uncommon within this membrane. Section V. OF THE HEART. [=Notice=: 1. _In situ_—exact position and relation to surrounding organs; shape; size; degree of firmness or flabbiness. 2. _After removal_—amount and kind of blood discharged from divided vessels; shape of heart; round or elongated; apex formed by which ventricle; amount of fat on surface; relative size of each cavity. 3. _Right auricle_—character and quantity of blood contained; fibrinous clot. Lining membrane; general condition of; foramen ovale; open or closed; thickness, consistence, etc., of muscular walls. Auriculo-ventricular opening; its shape; estimate of size by introducing fingers; rough or smooth; fibrous or calcareous deposits; circumference. 4. _Right ventricle_—nature and quantity of contents; fluid blood; blood clot; fibrinous clot; size; attachments of same to muscular columns; firm or soft; size of cavity; thickness and condition of muscular walls; color, firmness, etc. 5. _Tricuspid valves_—natural, thickened, thinned or contracted; granulations; patches of calcareous matter; degree of flexibility; can they close the opening? Condition of chordæ tendineæ; length, thickness, flexibility, rupture, etc. 6. _Pulmonary opening_—size and shape; smooth or rough. Semilunar valves; thin and smooth, or thick, rough and inflexible; power of closing the opening; will water pass through when poured in from above? 7. _Left side of heart_—observe same as on right. 8. _Generalities_—weight after removal of blood; wounds; morbid growths; abscesses; malformations;