abdomen we should have reason to suspect the existence of any perforations in the stomach or bowels, the anatomist must proceed with great caution, so as not to enlarge their diameters, or alter their appearance. In the case of _Miss Burns_, the medical report lost much of its value, from the want of due precaution in this particular; _see our account of the dissection_, _vol._ ii, _page_ 178. Should the contents of the stomach or intestines have escaped into the general cavity, we should be careful in collecting such matter, with a view to its future analysis. The size and appearance of the stomach must be noted, and we should observe whether any marks of inflammation, or gangrene, are visible on its external surface; in tracing the intestinal tube through its course, any appearance of inflammation, or phlogosis, should be attentively examined; for which purpose a ligature may be passed at some distance above and below the patch, and the portions of the intestine be then removed. In many cases it will be essential to remove the stomach, as where poisoning is suspected; for which purpose double ligatures, about an inch asunder, must be placed above the _cardia_, and similar ones in the _duodenum_; the division may then be made by the scalpel in the space between them. The stomach should be examined without delay, for no one who has not been engaged in such researches, can form an idea of the rapidity with which this viscus loses its characteristic appearances by exposure to air. The stomach is to be slit open with a pair of scissars, care being taken that none of its contents are lost. If the deceased had been found in the water, the quantity of that fluid, found in this viscus, should be noted; and under such circumstances, the presence of any weed, mud, or other extraneous matter, requires particular notice. The quantity of alimentary matter will also afford an object of remark, and it will be right to observe whether, by odour or inflammability, the presence of any spirit can be detected. Having then disposed of the contents of the stomach, and referred them to the chemist for examination, we proceed to examine the viscus itself; in the first place, we should be careful in ascertaining whether any white, or shining particles adhere to its coats; if so, the substance must be preserved for future analysis; the _cardia_ and whole interior of the stomach is to be carefully inspected, and every indication of inflammation, ulceration, gangrene, and schirrosity, is to be noted in reference to its exact situation and appearance; with a view to deduce an opinion as to the probability of its being the effect of poisonous ingesta, or of recent, or remote disease. The mucous membrane of the stomach should be squeezed between the fingers, and the nature of the matter, if any should ooze out, must be noted, which on some occasions will furnish a valuable diagnosis; where, for instance, the person had