Abstract

The observations of Meckel on the persistence of the blood movement after cardiectomy or heart ligation have been confirmed.

The post-mortem circulation is increased by anything tending to postpone the establishment of final post-mortem equilibrium of intravascular pressure. The blood movement under such conditions is probably explained by changes in the dying arterial muscle, plus vascular changes produced by the slow death of the central nervous system and of the lymph hearts, and in general by any other post-mortem changes (rigor) which might react on the intravascular pressure. This post-mortem circulation may have some share in the post mortem absorption and distribution of drugs; but its efficiency is limited.