died of _melæna_, a black matter, similar to that vomited will exude, a phenomenon which is never visible in cases of acrid or corrosive poisoning. We have already entered so fully into the history of gastric perforations, that it will be only necessary to allude to them on this occasion; _see vol._ i, _page_ 164. The state of the villous coat should always be minutely inspected, we should however be cautious in pronouncing every red appearance as indicative of inflammation; it may in some cases depend upon the presence of colouring matter derived from the ingesta; (_see the case related in vol._ ii, _p._ 231.) Nor ought the state of the œsophagus to be overlooked, which in cases of poisoning will afford an important indication; it should, therefore, be removed from the body; had this dissection been performed in the case of _Miss Burns_, the medical witnesses on that memorable occasion, would have been spared, at least, one great cause of censure. It is not impossible but that the œsophagus may be ruptured in a violent paroxysm of vomiting, and thus be the cause of death. _Boerhaave_ relates an interesting case of this kind, which occurred to _Baron Van Wassener_, Admiral of Holland. Rupture of the stomach is an occurrence which sometimes takes place from the action of vomiting, during the progress of ulceration, when the membranes of this viscus are nearly perforated. It also occasionally happens from external violence. In the _Medical Repository_,[34] a case of ruptured stomach is related by _Mr. Brown_, in which the accident must have been occasioned by the action of the diaphragm and abdominal muscles, at the time of exertion, the stomach of the individual having, from disease, been less capable of sustaining any degree of violence. The following are the particulars of the case; “A coal-heaver, aged 50, whilst stooping in the act of lifting some coals, placed his hand suddenly on the pit of the stomach, and complained of severe pain in that situation; this was immediately succeeded by two deep sighs, when he dropped down and expired. On dissection, the parts immediately round the opening were in a higher state of vascularity than the rest, and put on a decidedly torn appearance, which was also observable in the peritoneal coat.”