The symptoms of this condition are fighting for breath, giddiness, relaxation of the sphincters, and convulsions.
Post mortem, cadaveric lividity is well marked, especially in nose, lips, ears, etc.; the right cavities of the heart and the venæ cavæ are found gorged with dark fluid blood. The pulmonary veins, the left cavities of the heart, and the aorta, are either empty or contain but little blood. The lungs are dark and engorged with blood, and the lining of the air-tubes is bright red in colour. Much bloody froth escapes on cutting into the lungs. Numerous small hæmorrhages (Tardieu's spots) are found on the surface and in the substance of the internal organs, as well as in the skin of the neck and face.
3. Coma, or death beginning at the brain, may arise from concussion; compression; cerebral pressure from hæmorrhage and other forms of apoplexy; blocking of a cerebral artery from embolism; dietetic and uræmic conditions; and from opium and other narcotic poisons.
The symptoms of this condition are stupor, loss of consciousness, and stertorous breathing.
The post-mortem signs are congestion of the substance of the brain and its membranes, with accumulation of the blood in the cavities of the heart, more on the right side than on the left.
It must be remembered that, owing to the interdependence of all the vital functions, there is no line of demarcation between the various modes of death. In all cases of sudden death think of angina pectoris and the rupture of an aneurism.
The following is a list of some of the commoner causes of sudden death:
(a) Instantaneously Sudden Death—
- Syncope (by far the commonest cause).
- Aortic incompetence.
- Rupture of heart.
- Rupture of a valve.
- Rupture of aortic aneurism.
- Embolism of coronary artery.
- Angina pectoris.
(b) Less Sudden but Unexpected Death—