3. Lesion of the internal organs, but without inflammation. Death in these cases seems to be due to depression of the nervous system due to the intense pain following these injuries.
4. By inflammation without lesion of internal organs.
5. Inflammation from lesion of internal organs.
6. Destruction of the natural functions of the organs, and, as a result, malnutrition of the body.
Except in the first case, when death is instantaneous, wounds of the abdomen are not as a rule immediately fatal.
Wounds of the genital organs of the female may cause fatal hæmorrhage, which takes place from the plexus of veins which, in these parts, are devoid of valves. A kick from behind whilst the woman is stooping or kneeling may rupture the labial vessels and death supervene.
Blows and kicks upon the abdomen do not often injure the non-gravid uterus, but during gestation may produce abortion and hæmorrhage. If the pregnancy be advanced the uterus may be ruptured or the placenta separated. Penetrating wounds either through the abdominal wall, or per vaginam in the attempt to procure abortion, cause hæmorrhage and peritonitis with septic infection.
FRACTURES OF BONES
Unless they implicate some special structure, such as the brain and medulla, simple fractures are not considered dangerous to life. When compound, they may be complicated with hæmorrhage and infective processes.
Certain pathological conditions favour the spontaneous fracture of bones, or this occurrence with such slight violence as would not cause fracture in the normal may take place.