4. That the condition of the larynx in regard to the absence or presence of ossific deposit materially influences its liability to fracture from external violence. If altogether cartilaginous, partial slits or splittings may be produced. If partly ossified, fractures may be produced by a comparatively moderate degree of applied violence, and if extensively or entirely ossified, extreme violence will generally be required to produce laryngeal fracture (_Edinburgh Medical Journal_, 1855-56). Homicidal suffocation may be due to forcibly introducing foreign bodies into the air-passages, especially in children; adults suffocated thus are generally under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or enfeebled from disease. Suicidal suffocation by these means is generally limited to lunatics. [Illustration: Fig. 16.--The pulse in this case became slower than normal. Five minutes after the drop the type reached that of bradycardia, then recovered itself, and even 14½ minutes after the drop was beating with normal frequency, but in the meantime had become very feeble. 1. The day before execution, 102 per minute. 2. 5 minutes after the drop, 54 per minute. 3. 7 minutes, 102 per minute. 4. 10 minutes, 96 per minute. 5. 13 minutes, 66 per minute. 6. 14½ minutes, 72 per minute.] [Illustration: Fig. 17.--The pulse in this case became accelerated and then fell again, but was feeble throughout. 1. The day before execution, 84 per minute. 2. 3½ minutes after the drop, 162 per minute. 3. 4 minutes, 156 per minute. 4. 5½ minutes, 132 per minute. 5. 6½ minutes, 102 per minute. 6. 9 minutes, 84 per minute. 7. 11½ minutes, 78 per minute. 8. 12½ minutes, 78 per minute.] [Illustration: Fig. 18.--In this case the pulse rate increased, and then fell to 72 per minute towards the end. 1. 1 week before execution, 60 per minute. 2. 2½ minutes after the drop, 162 per minute. 3. 3 minutes, 138 per minute. 4. 3½ minutes, 132 per minute. 5. 4½ minutes. 6. 5¼ minutes, 168? per minute. 7. 5¾ minutes, 108 per minute. 8. 7 minutes. 9. 8½ minutes. 10. 10 minutes, 72 per minute. 11. 12 minutes.] Homicidal suffocation by compression of the chest has been effected in infants; in adults it is combined with the covering of the nose and mouth. The victims are generally old or enfeebled. Suffocation of infants may be homicidal, or accidental, due to “overlaying”; in the latter the greatest mortality is amongst the youngest infants. A child ten months old may struggle and free itself or awaken the mother. In France a favourite mode of committing suicide by suffocation is the use of irrespirable gases--carbonic acid, carbon monoxide, and the like. Collateral circumstances must be taken into consideration, and will more or less help to point to the true cause of death.