The intestines
are also contracted, empty, and translucent.
In the absence of any disease productive of extreme emaciation (_e.g._,
tuberculosis, stricture of oesophagus, diabetes, Addison's disease),
such a state of body will furnish a strong presumption of death by
starvation.
In the case of children there is not always absolute deprivation of
food, but what is supplied is insufficient in quantity or of improper
quality. The defence commonly set up is that the child died either of
marasmus or of tuberculosis.
In cases where it is alleged that a child has been starved and ill-used,
one must examine the body for signs of neglect--_e.g._, dirtiness of
skin and hair, presence of vermin, bruises or skin eruptions. Compare
its weight with a normal child of the same age and sex. If the
disproportion be great and signs of neglect present, then the
probability is great (provided there be no actual disease present) that
the child has been starved.
XXI.--DEATH FROM LIGHTNING AND ELECTRICITY
The signs of death from lightning vary greatly. In some cases there are
no signs; in others the body may be most curiously marked. Wounds of
various characters--contused, lacerated, and punctured--may be
produced.
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