=Post-Mortem Signs of Plumbism.=--Very real difficulty exists in determining from naked-eye appearances at a post-mortem examination whether the cause of death be due to chronic plumbism or not. The changes produced by several other forms of intoxication, notably chronic alcoholism, produce many of the same changes in the tissues as lead. Inspection of the organs in the case of plumbism can only give rise to a surmise that the cause of death is due to lead poisoning. There are, however, certain macroscopical appearances at an autopsy in the case of saturnism which should be carefully noted, and although alone they do not constitute sufficient evidence upon which to pass a definite opinion, they are still important as diagnostic signs in the light of histological and chemical examination. Particular note should be paid at an autopsy of a case of suspected lead poisoning to the following points: 1. Mouth, for the presence or absence of blue line, which, if present, must be examined with a lens. 2. General condition of the abdominal viscera, and particularly of the mesenteric and perinephritic fat. In plumbism this is invariably reduced in quantity. 3. The condition of the mesenteric vessels, as to whether or not they are engorged with blood, or whether or not leakage appears to have taken place. 4. General condition of the arteries, for the presence of atheroma, etc. 5. The heart muscle, which in plumbism is generally pale, flabby, and with a tendency to general dilatation of the cavities. 6. Intestines. (_a_) The presence of injection of the muscular coat, particularly the lower portion of the intestine, and about the ileo-cæcal valve. (_b_) The presence or absence of minute ulcerations, or even hæmorrhages along the intestine, even in the mucosa of the stomach. (_c_) The presence of dark staining in the coats of the lower intestine, not altogether disappearing when washed under a gentle stream of water. Should there be any evidence of this staining, it is highly important to remove some of the fæces, as well as a portion of the intestine, for chemical examination. 7. The condition of the liver, which in poisoning by lead, as by alcohol, frequently shows a considerable amount of enlargement, and may even show patches of perihepatitis due to secondary causes. But the cirrhosis occurring in lead poisoning is not so great as in alcohol. In lead poisoning the liver as a rule is large and soft, and engorged with blood. 8. The kidney, for signs of interstitial rather than tubular nephritis, adherent capsule, and blood-stained exudate.