9. =Build.= The body should be measured by stretching in a straight
line a metal tape-measure from the vertex to the centre of the
external arch of the instep, the foot being held at a right angle
to the surface of the table. Giantism or dwarfism, partial or
complete, asymmetrical development, etc., should be noted and the
type determined (rachitic, cretinoid, congenital and acquired
deformities of bones may cause dwarfism; giantism may be congenital
or due to disease of the hypophysis as in acromegaly). In all cases
of abnormal development of the skeleton the possibility of diseased
conditions of the hypophysis, thyroid, thymus, adrenals and sexual
glands must be borne in mind. In a general way the build of the body
may be described as large, heavy, strong, medium, small, delicate,
etc. Racial, sex and age differences should be noted. Roentgen-ray
examination may here also be made use of in the determination of
stages of skeletal development. Approximate estimates of the general
build may be made when only part of the body is preserved. Such
rules as nineteen times the length of the middle finger equals the
approximate height, four times the length of the femur equals the
height, the distance from the tip of the olecranon to the tip of the
middle finger is five-nineteenths of the height, etc., are obviously
very uncertain.
10. =General Nutrition.= The body should be weighed. Nutrition good,
medium, poor, emaciated, etc. Condition of skin, muscles, panniculus,
etc. Differentiate loss in fat from loss in muscle. Distinguish
physiologic fat from pathologic (lipomatosis, etc.).
11. =Head.= The size and shape of the head should be noted, and
any peculiarity or pathologic condition described (microcephalic,
macrocephalic, dolichocephalic, brachycephalic, etc.).
12. =Facies.= Aside from individual and racial characteristics the
face of the cadaver may show varying expressions (Hippocratic
facies, hepatic facies, expression of peace, pain, horror,
distortion, etc.). Note all anomalies and pathologic conditions
(leontiasis ossea, leonine expression of leprosy, hare-lip, etc.).
13. =Eyes.= Closed or open, shape, size, color, deep-set, changes
due to death, condition and size of pupils, arcus senilis, color of
conjunctivæ and sclerotics, eye-lids. The pupils are usually dilated
at death, but after a short time they contract, usually unequally,
and remain so for several days. Note particularly all anomalies and
pathologic conditions (corneal scars, coloboma, cataract, strabismus,
etc.).
14. =Neck.= Short and thick, long and narrow, thin or fat, smooth
or wrinkled, scars, enlargements, marks of rope, fingers, string,
evidences of strangulation, hemorrhages, abrasions, etc., other forms
of trauma, cysts, enlarged glands, condition of thyroid, etc.
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