凡因病死者,形体羸瘦,肉色痿黄,口眼多合,腹肚多陷,两眼通黄,两拳微握,发髻
解脱,身上或有新旧针灸瘢痕,余无他故,即是因病死。
凡病患求乞在路死者,形体瘦劣,肉色痿黄,口眼合,两手微握,口齿焦黄,唇不着齿
。
邪魔中风卒死,尸多肥,肉色微黄,口眼合,头髻紧,口内有涎沫,遍身无他故。
卒死,肌肉不陷,口鼻内有涎沫,面色紫赤。盖其人未死时,涎壅于上,气不宣通,故
面色及口鼻如此。
卒中死,眼开睛白,口齿开,牙关紧,间有口眼 斜,并口两角、鼻内涎沫流出,
手脚拳曲。
中暗风,尸必肥,肉多 白色,口眼皆闭,涎唾流溢。卒死于邪祟,其尸不在于肥
瘦,两手皆握,手足爪甲多青。或暗风如发惊搐死者,口眼多 斜,手足必拳缩,臂腿
手足细小,涎沫亦流。(以上三项大略相似,更须检时仔细分别)
伤寒死,遍身紫赤色,口眼开有紫汗流,唇亦微绽,手不握拳。
时气死者,眼开口开,遍身黄色,量有薄皮起,手足俱伸。
中暑死,多在五、六、七月,眼合,舌与粪门俱不出,面黄白色。
冻死者,面色痿黄,口内有涎沫,牙齿硬,身直,两手紧抱胸前,兼衣服单薄。检时,
用酒醋洗,得少热气,则两腮红,面如芙蓉色。口有涎沫出,其涎不粘,此则冻死证。
饥饿死者,浑身黑瘦,硬直、眼闭、口开,牙关紧禁,手脚俱伸。
或疾病死,值春、夏、秋初,申得迟,经隔两三日,肚上、脐下、两胁肋骨缝,有微青
色;此是病患死后,经日变动,腹内秽污发作,攻注皮肤,致有此色。不是生前有他故,切
宜仔细。
凡验病死之人,才至检所,先问原申人∶其身死人来自何处?几时到来?几时得病?曾与
不曾申官取责口词?有无人识认?如收得口词,即须问∶原患是何疾病?年多少?病得几日方申
官取问口词?既得口词之后几日身死?如无口词,则问∶如何取口词不得?若是奴婢,则须先
讨契书看,问∶有无亲戚?患是何病?曾请是何医人?吃甚药?曾与不曾申官取口词?如无,则
问不责口词因根据;然后,对众证定。如别无它故,只取众定验状,称说∶遍身黄色,骨瘦,
委是生前因患是何疾致死。仍取医人定验疾色状一纸。如委的众证因病身死分明,原初虽不
曾取责口词,但不是非理致死,不须牒请覆验。
For those who die from illness, the body is emaciated, the flesh color is sallow and withered, the mouth and eyes are mostly closed, the abdomen is sunken, both eyes are completely yellow, the two fists are slightly clenched, the hair bun is untied, and there may be old or new acupuncture scars on the body. If there are no other causes, it is death due to illness.
For patients who die while begging on the road, the body is thin and inferior, the flesh color is sallow, the mouth and eyes are closed, the two hands are slightly clenched, the teeth are scorched yellow, and the lips do not cover the teeth.
Those who die suddenly from evil influences or wind-stroke usually have fat corpses, slightly yellow flesh color, closed mouth and eyes, tight hair buns, saliva in the mouth, and no other abnormalities on the whole body.
In cases of sudden death (Su Si), the muscles are not sunken, there is saliva in the nose and mouth, and the complexion is purple-red. This is because before death, phlegm-saliva obstructed the upper jiao, preventing the smooth flow of Qi, thus causing the complexion and nose/mouth to appear this way.
Those who die from stroke-evil (Zhong E Feng) have open eyes with white pupils, an open mouth, tightly clenched jaw, sometimes with facial paralysis (deviation of mouth and eye), saliva flowing from the corners of the mouth and nose, and curled hands and feet.
Those who die from hidden wind (An Feng) will have fat corpses, mostly white flesh color, closed mouth and eyes, and overflowing saliva. For those who die suddenly from evil influences, regardless of whether the corpse is fat or thin, both hands are clenched, and the fingernails and toenails are mostly blue. If one dies from hidden wind triggering convulsions, the mouth and eyes are often deviated, hands and feet are necessarily curled, arms and legs are thin, and saliva also flows. (These three categories are roughly similar; careful distinction must be made during examination.)
Those who die from Shanghan (Cold Damage) have a purple-red whole body, open mouth and eyes with purple sweat flowing out, slightly cracked lips, and hands that do not clench into fists.
Those who die from seasonal qi pathogens have open eyes and mouths, a yellow whole body, some thin skin peeling off, and extended hands and feet.
Those who die from heatstroke mostly occur in the fifth, sixth, and seventh months. The eyes are closed, the tongue and anus are not protruding, and the face is yellowish-white.
Those who die from freezing have a sallow complexion, saliva in the mouth, stiff teeth, a straight body, hands tightly embracing the chest, and thin clothing. Upon examination, washing with wine and vinegar can generate slight warmth, turning the cheeks red and the face like a hibiscus flower. Saliva flows from the mouth but is not sticky; this is the sign of death by freezing.
Those who die from starvation are black and thin all over, stiff and straight, with closed eyes, open mouth, tightly clenched jaw, and extended hands and feet.
Or if dying from illness during spring, summer, or early autumn, if the body is discovered late, after two or three days, a faint bluish-green color may appear above the belly, below the navel, and in the gaps between the ribs on both sides. This is due to changes after death, where foul qi from the abdomen erupts and attacks the skin, causing this discoloration. It is not caused by other factors during life, so careful attention is required.
When examining anyone who died of illness, upon arriving at the scene, first ask the declarant: Where did the deceased come from? When did they arrive? When did they fall ill? Was a statement taken from them and submitted to the authorities? Is there anyone who recognizes them? If a statement has been received, you must ask: What was the original disease? How old were they? How many days had they been ill before submitting the statement for questioning? How many days after obtaining the statement did they die? If there is no statement, ask why it could not be obtained. If it is a servant or slave, first obtain the deed/contract to check, and ask: Are there any relatives? What disease did they suffer from? Which doctor did they consult? What medicine did they take? Was a statement submitted to the authorities? If not, ask the reason for not taking the statement; then, determine based on collective evidence. If there are no other causes, obtain a collective verification record stating: "The whole body is yellow, bones are emaciated, and it is indeed confirmed that they died from [specific] illness." Also, obtain a document from the physician verifying the disease signs. If it is clearly verified by multiple witnesses that the person died of illness, and although no initial statement was taken, it is not an unnatural death, there is no need to issue a warrant requesting a re-examination.