[Potassium and sodium electrolyte ratio in the myocardium following death by hanging and electric current].

The amount of the electrolytes of potassium and sodium contained in different parts of both the chambers and the septa between them was investigated flame photometrically in practically sound persons who died on account of a mechanical asphyxiation by hanging--25 cases--and of an electric accident--12 cases. Statistically significant changes in the eletrolytes of potassium and sodium were detected in cardiac muscle in cases of an electrotrauma as against hanging. In connexion with the changes in the above electrolytes the fragmentation of the muscle fibers of the heart was enquired into. No strict correlational dependency between the changes of electrolyte balance and the degree of fragmentation was found.