Homicidal cut throat is usually very severe and situated low down in the neck or far to the side.
6. =Of the Chest.=--Incised wounds of the walls are not of necessity dangerous; but severe blows, by causing fracture of the bones and internal injuries, are often fatal. The symptoms of penetrating wounds of the chest are--(1) The passage of blood and air through the wound; (2) hæmoptysis; (3) pneumothorax; and (4) protrusion of the lung forming a tumour covered with pleura. Fracture of the ribs may be due to direct violence, as from a blow, when the ends are driven inwards, or to indirect violence, as from a squeeze in a crowd, when the ends are driven outwards.
7. =Of the Lungs.=--These usually cause hæmorrhage, and are frequently followed by pleurisy, either dry or with effusion, and by pneumonia.
8. =Of the Heart.=--Penetrating wounds are fatal from hæmorrhage, of the base more speedily than of the apex; but life may be prolonged for some time even after a severe wound to the heart. Injury to the right ventricle is the most fatal injury and the most frequent. Rupture from disease usually occurs in the left ventricle; rupture from a crush is usually towards the base and on the right side.
9. =Of the Aorta and Pulmonary Artery.=--Fatal.
10. =Of the Diaphragm.=--Generally fatal, owing to the severe injury of the other abdominal organs. If the diaphragm be ruptured, hernia of the organs may result.
11. =Of the Abdomen.=--Of the walls, may be dangerous from division of the epigastric artery; ventral hernia may follow, internal hæmorrhage, etc. Blows on the abdomen are prone to cause death from cardiac inhibition.
12. =Of the Liver.=--May divide the large vessels. Venous blood flows profusely from a punctured wound of the liver. Wounds of the gall-bladder cause effusion of bile and peritoneal inflammation. Laceration of the liver may result from external violence without leaving any outward sign of the injury; it is commonly fatal. There is rapid and acute anæmia from the pouring out of blood into the abdominal cavity. This may also occur with injuries of other organs in the abdomen.
13. =Of the Spleen.=--Fatal hæmorrhage may result from penetrating wounds or from rupture due to kicks, blows, crushes, especially if the spleen be enlarged.