Studies in Ancient Hindu Polity (Based on the Arthashastra of Kautilya), Vol. I c10.s1.27

c10.s1.27

*Post-mortem examination* (आशुमृतकपरीक्षा).—It is noteworthy that there was arrangement in those days for post-mortem examination.⁴ For this purpose the corpse was smeared with oil to prevent putrefaction. All cases of violent death caused, for instance, by suffocation, hanging, drowning, etc., or by poisoning, were at once brought to the morgue, and the medical officers in charge had to find out as far as possible the exact cause of death from an examination of the symptoms, several of which are enumerated in the Arthaśāstra. The whole affair was subjected to a careful scrutiny, and if foul play was suspected, evidence was taken and the matter left to be disposed of in the law court.