ON THE COLLECTION OF DATA AT AUTOPSIES.1 
HENRY P. BOWDITCH, M. T>. 
The committee appointed to consider a plan for securing uniformity in the 
data of autopsies respectfully present the following blank form to be filled by 
the examiner making the autopsy, together with detailed instructions for mak- 
ing the required measurements. 
As the object of collecting data of this sort is to determine the normal 
standard of size for the various organs at different ages, as well as the varia- 
tions from this standard which are associated with different diseases or ten- 
dencies to disease, it is important to neglect no opportunity of securing a com- 
plete set of measurements, whatever may be the age, sex, or manner of death 
of the individual. 
As an example of the kind of problems to be solved by investigations of 
this sort, attention is called to the results of Professor Beneke’s observations, 
to which allusion has already been made in volume i., page 140, of the Trans- 
actions of this Society. These conclusions are here reproduced in a corrected 
and modified form in accordance with the request of Professor Beneke, ex- 
pressed in a letter to one of the committee. 
(1.) Before the period of puberty the aorta is smaller than the pulmonary 
artery, after this period the relation begins to be reversed, and in advanced 
life the aorta is always larger than the pulmonary artery. 
(2.) The aorta and pulmonary artery are absolutely smaller in the female 
than in the male, but relatively to the length of the body there is scarcely 
any difference between the circumference of the arteries in the two sexes, 
while the heart in females is absolutely as well as relatively a little smaller / 
than in males. 
(3.) In adult males the volume of the lungs is greater than that of the 
liver; in adult females the reverse seems to be true. 
(4.) In men the volume of the two kidneys is nearly equal to that of the 
heart; in children it is greater. 
(5.) Children have a relatively larger intestinal canal than adults. 
(6.) A sudden increase in the size of the heart occurs at the period of pu- 
berty. 
(7.) The iliac arteries diminish in size during the first three months of life. 
(8.) The cancerous diathesis is, in the majority of cases, associated with a 
large and powerful heart and capacious arteries, but a relatively small pulmo- 
nary artery, small lungs, well-developed bones and muscles, and tolerably 
abundant adipose tissue. 
1 A report presented to the Massachusetts Medico-Legal Society, February 1, 1882. 2 
On the Collection of Data at Autopsies. 
(9.) Pulmonary tuberculosis is often associated with an unusually small 
heart. 
(10.) In constitutional rachitis the heart is generally large and well devel- 
oped ; the arteries are also large. 
The data to be collected by this Society will be of great use in confirming 
or correcting these and similar conclusions. H. P. Bowditch, 
F. A. Harris. 
(1.) Age years months. (2.) Sex 
(3.) Cause of death 
(4.) Height of body cm. (ty i 5.) Weight of body kilo. 
(6.) Heart, weight grammes ; volume cc. 
(7.) Lungs, weight grammes ; volume cc. 
(8.) Liver, weight grammes; volume cc. 
(9.) Spleen, weight grammes; volume cc. 
'HO.) Kidneys, weight . ...grammes; volume cc. 
(11.) Testicles, weight grammes ; volume cc. 
(12.) Uterus, weight grammes ; volume cc. 
(13.) Ovaries, weight grammes; volume cc. 
(14.) Brain, weight grammes; volume cc. 
(15.) Stomach, weight grammes. 
(16.) Small intestine, length cm. 
(17.) Large intestine, length cm. 
(18.) Circumference of ascending aorta .... mm. 
(19.) Circumference of pulmonary artery .... mm. 
(20.) Circumference of thoracic aorta mm. 
(21.) Circumference of abdominal aorta .... mm. 
(22.) Time between death and autopsy .... hours. 
(23.) Rigor mortis 
RECORD OF AUTOPSY. 
A description of the organs, if in any way abnormal, should be given on 
the opposite side of this sheet, the paragraphs of the description being num- 
bered to correspond to the record. 
Signature of Examiner 
INSTRUCTIONS FOR MAKING MEASUREMENTS. 
The measurements required in this record call for special explanation only 
so far as they relate to the determination of the volume of organs and the cir- 
cumference of arteries. 
The volume of an organ is most simply determined by immersing it in a 
vessel previously filled to the brim with water, and measuring the amount of 
water which is thus caused to flow over the edge. The sort of vessel most 
convenient for this purpose will vary with the size of the organ under inves- 
tigation. For large organs like the liver a large stone jar or a water pail set 
in a large basin or tin pan will be found convenient. For smaller organs, 
such as the testicles, a cup and saucer may be used. It is desirable to use a 
vessel which has one point of its brim lower than the rest, so that the over- 
flow may always take place from that point. If such a vessel cannot be con- 
veniently procured, the same result may be accomplished by placing the vessel 
in a slightly inclined position. CYessels made for the purpose may be obtained 
from C. Gerhardt, in BonnT] The volume of the water displaced by the or- 
gan can be measured by pouring it from the vessel into which it overflows 
into a graduated cylinder. cylinders, from ten to one thousand cubic 
centimetres’ capacity, may be obtained from the Metric Bureau, at prices vary- 
ing from fifty cents to three dollars^] 
In the case of organs which float in water (for example, the lungs) a weight 
must be attached to effect their complete immersion, and the proper allow- 
ance made for the volume of the weight. 
The circumference of arteries is measured by opening them along one side, On the Collection of Data at Autopsies. 
spreading them out flat, and applying a to their inner sur- 
face. 
The following precautions are to be observed in taking the measurements 
and in making up the record of the autopsy. The numbers correspond to 
those of the record. 
(1.) The age should be recorded in years and months in the case of children 
less than two years old. For older children and for adults it is sufficient to 
record the age at the last birthday. When the age is estimated, and not accu- 
rately known, the fact should be stated in the record. 
(4.) The height of the body is best measured by placing boxes or other 
square-cornered objects against the head and(|ees>of the body as it rests hori- 
zontally upon the floor or table, marking the position of the boxes upon the 
surface on which they rest, and measuring the distance between the marks 
thus obtained. 
(5.) The weight of the body of an adult may be readily determined on 
small grocer’s scales by placing it upon a board laid across the platform. The 
weight of the board must of course be deducted. 
(6.) The heart is prepared for measurement by opening all its cavities and 
removing the clots, by cutting off the aorta and pulmonary artery on a line 
the upper border of the semilunar valves, by cutting off the veins at 
their junction with the by removing adherent portions 
cardiumr/ In measuring the volume of the heart by immersing it in water, 
care should be taken to prevent air bubbles from being entangled by the 
valves and trabeculae. If an unusual amount of fat is adherent to the muscu- 
lar substance of the heart the fact should be stated in the record. 
(7.) The lungs are prepared by removing the bronchial glands and adhe- 
rent portions of pleural membrane, and by cutting off the blood-vessels and 
bronchial tubes as near as possible to the hilu|. A weight of 0.5 to 1 kilo- 
gramme to insure the immersion of the lungs may be best attached by means 
of a large, sharp hook, on which the lungs can be impaled. It is particularly 
important in the case of the lungs to give a full account of any pathological 
changes that may be noticed, such as oedema, engorgement, etc., otherwise 
determination of the volume and weight has little value. U> cfu 
(8.) The liver is prepared by removing adherent portions of the diaphragm 
and vena cava, as well as the ligaments and ("the gall bladder} The 
are to be cut off close to the hilu/. v*- - r i k 
(9.) The spleen is prepared by removing from the hilu| the fat, connective 
tissue, and blood-vessels. 
(10.) The kidneys are prepared by removing the capsules, and freeing the 
as far as possible from fat, connective tissue, and vessels. 
(11.) The testicles are prepared by cutting off the cord on a level with the 
head of the epididymis. 
(12.) The uterus is prepared by cutting off the ligaments as close as possi- 
ble to the body of the organ, and removing adherent portions of the vaginal 
walls. 
(13.) The ovaries are prepared by removing adherent portions of the peri- 
■tonaeum. 4 
On the Collection of Data at Autopsies. 
(14.) The brain is to be removed in the usual manner, the medulla being 
divided at the point of the calamus scriptorius. / 
(15.) The stomach is prepared by separating from the oesophagus and the 
intestines at the cardiac and pyloric orifices respectively, and by removing ad- 
herent portions of peritonaeum and fat. The organ is to be opened along its 
lesser curvature, and the contents entirely removed. 
(16.) The length of the small intestine is measured from the pylorus to the 
ileo-caecal valve. The organ is prepared by removing the mesentery as com- 
pletely as possible, and forcing a stream of water through it to remove the 
intestinal contents. It is then to be spread out upon a table, and its length 
determined. In consequence of the elasticity of the intestine an error of 
two per cent, is hardly to be avoided. 
(17.) Tb? length of thv la.rgi intestine is ivveas’-.rod fi’om the. erhen of the 
appendix vermiformis to the anus. The organ is prepared in the same way 
as the small intestine. 
The circumference of the arteries to be determined, as above described, is 
measured at the following points: 
(18.) Ascending aorta, one centimetre above the border of the semilunar 
valves. 
(19.) Pulmonary artery, same as ascending aorta. 
(20.) Thoracic aorta, at a point one third of the distance from the origin 
of the left subclavian artery to the bifurcation of the abdominal aorta. 
(21.) Abdominal aorta, two centimetres above its bifurcation. 
(23.) State, if possible, the duration and intensity of the rigor mortis, and 
whether it had entirely disappeared at the time of the autopsy.