From 2½(!) to 12 years old 99 “ 12 “ 14 “ 20 “ 15 “ 18 “ 8 “ 19 “ 25 “ 7 47 “ 1 68 “ 1 --- 136 In examination of a case of alleged rape, several points of interest will have to be considered, which, for the sake of convenience, will be placed in a tabular form: 1. _An examination of the parts of generation._ (_a_) Inflammatory redness and abrasion of the parts. (_b_) A muco-purulent secretion. (_c_) Hæmorrhage or dried blood about the genital organs. (_d_) Destruction of the hymen. (_e_) Dilatation of the vagina. (_f_) General signs of rape. 2. _An examination of the body and limbs of the female._ 3. _Examination of the linen worn by the female and the male for_ (_a_) Marks of semen. (_b_) Marks of blood. (_c_) Marks of other discharges, gonorrhœa, &c. 1. =An Examination of the Parts of Generation.= (_a_) More or less inflammatory _redness_ and _abrasion_ of the mucous membrane lining the parts, which is never absent in children, and may last for some weeks. “In adults, virgins up to the time of the commission of the crime, this appearance is either not found at all or only faint traces of it. In those previously deflowered it is never observed.” In the case of young children the genitals may be so injured as to cause death in a few hours. The parts may therefore present all varieties of injury, from slight bruising and redness to the most fearful lacerations. _Caution._--Inflammatory irritation due to catarrh _may_ occur, and be apt to mislead. (_b_) A _muco-purulent secretion_, from the mucous membrane lining the vagina, of a greenish-yellow colour, more or less viscid, and soiling the linen of the girl. This secretion, in colour and consistence, cannot be distinguished from that the result of gonorrhœa. The usual period of incubation of gonorrhœa is from three to eight days; among young girls, however, this period may be shortened. The incubatory stage of soft chancre is from three to five days (Diday); that of hard chancre somewhat longer, varying from fifteen to twenty days. Enlargement of the inguinal glands and the persistence of the discharge after the use of simple treatment will tend greatly to confirm the suspicion of venereal disease. The genital organs of the male may have to be examined as to the presence of gonorrhœa or syphilis. Syringing the urethra may remove for a time the gonorrhœal discharge; care must therefore be taken in forming an opinion.