An examination of the body was made the day after death by Sir John Fife and Dr. Glover, who reported as follows:—“The body was that of a well-grown female of about fifteen years of age.... On opening the chest, the lungs were not collapsed. One or two very slight adhesions were encountered on separating them from the walls of the chest. The external appearance of both lungs, over the whole surface, but especially in the inferior portions, was that of organs in a very high state of congestion. They were mottled with patches of a deep purple, blueish, or scarlet hue. They were everywhere crepitant. Along the outer and interior border of both lungs, particularly of the upper lobe of the left lung, were several emphysematous bubbles of small size.... The pulmonary tissue was filled with bloody froth, which was also found in the interior of the bronchi, mixed with mucus. There was no appearance of hepatization. On examining the larynx and trachea, the epiglottis was found reddened at the summit, of a vermilion hue. The mucous membrane of the larynx was redder than natural—mottled with vascular patches. The sinuses of the larynx contained a good deal of dark mucus. The œsophagus was healthy. The stomach was distended with food. Some of the veins were more distinct than usual. The heart contained dark fluid blood in both its cavities: very little in the left. Its structure, and that of the great vessels near it, quite healthy. The brain, externally and internally, was more congested than usual; and the ventricles contained rather more than the usual quantity of serum.”[66] Sir John Fife and Dr. Glover expressed the opinion that chloroform caused death by producing congestion of the lungs. After the further experience which has been gained respecting chloroform, this opinion of the mode in which it caused death, in the above case, would probably not now be offered. Indeed, in similar cases which have since occurred, the same opinion has not been advanced; and as the lungs were crepitant throughout, in the above case, it is probable that the congestion was not greater than is commonly met with in cases of sudden death without hæmorrhage. Dr. Simpson published his opinion, immediately after this case occurred, that it was not caused by the chloroform, but by the brandy which was given when the alarming symptoms came on; but Dr. Meggison replied that only a teaspoonful of brandy was given; that it was swallowed, though with difficulty; that there were no symptoms of choking from it; and that the girl was without pulse when it was given.[67]