(c) Fracture and dislocation of the neck.
(d) Presence of incised wounds, and other evidence of violence.
N.B.—In all doubtful cases, a guarded opinion should be given, stating simply that the dissection does not reveal anything contrary to the statements offered as to the cause of death.
III. Congenital Disease in one or more of the Fœtal Organs.—In all cases the presence of congenital disease must be sought for.
IV. Neglect or Exposure, constituting “Infanticide by Omission.”—Under this head may be mentioned the following:
(a) Neglecting to place the child in such a position that it may breathe freely.
(b) Neglecting to protect the child from extremes of cold or heat.
(c) Neglecting to feed it with the food appropriate to its age. (See Signs of Death from Starvation, [pp. 132 et seq.])
(d) Neglecting to tie the umbilical cord.
To give answers to these questions will in many cases be impossible, and each must be decided by such circumstances as present themselves in each individual case. For instance, if the body be found stiff, blanched, naked or nearly so, lying on the ground, the vessels of the interior gorged with blood, whilst the superficial vessels are contracted and can be seen only with difficulty; at the same time, the hydrostatic test shows that respiration has taken place, and in the absence of all external or internal causes—the probability is in favour of death by cold. In close relation with the present subject is the question—