We have faithfully reproduced the post-mortem report, including American spellings,
original spacings and typing errors.
AUTOPSY
Approximate Age 30 years Approximate Weight 180 lbs,
Height 5’5”
Identified by Residence
Stenographer William J. Burke Residence (Book #304)
I hereby certify that I Milton Helpern, M.D. have performed an autopsy on
the body of DYLAN THOMAS at City Mortuary on the
10th day of November 1953 dictation begun hours after death,
and the said autopsy revealed @ 2:40 pm
AUTOPSY PERFORMED BY DR. MILTON HELPERN
DEPUTY CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINER
(In the presence of Drs. DiMaio & Mathus)
EXTERNAL INSPECTION:
Adult white male appearing to be about 40 years of age; 5'5" tall; estimated weight 180lb.; obese trunk; puffy face; wavy brown hair on head; moderate frontal baldness; brown eyes; unshaven face; several days growth of brown hair; teeth in upper jaw irregular in alignment, rather widely spaced - in the lower jaw also show some irregularity - all teeth show discoloration - several teeth missing in the left lower jaw; rigor mortis is complete; foreskin short somewhat edematous; purplish post mortem lividity present posteriorly; needle puncture marks with slight ecchymosis of skin over dorsum left hand; lumbar puncture mark posteriorly; mottled purple lividity; skin anteriorly somewhat pale; faint blue lividity of face; slight rosacea of cheeks; small scar 3/4" above outer end of the right eyebrow and also linear scar of the left eyebrow. No other signs of traumatic injury.
ON SECTION OF THE HEAD:
On reflecting the scalp no evidence of injury in the galea.
Calvarium 1/8" to 5/16" in thickness. Dura intact.
Brain shows considerable pial edema over vertex with increase in cerebrospinal fluid lifting up piarachnoid. No hemorrhages noted between meninges which are clear. Arteries at the base appear normal. Brain heavy, 1,600 grams; on section shows only congested; no areas of softening or hemorrhage made out anywhere. Lateral ventricles contain clear fluid. Basal ganglions intact. Pons, cerebellum, brain stem grossly normal. No injuries at the base of the skull. Dura strips fairly easily.
ON SECTION OF THE TRUCK:
Panniculus up to 1½" in thickness; recti muscles fairly well developed; considerable excess fat in the mesenteric, omental retroperitoneal fatty depots; fat is rather firm and lobulations are exaggerated. Peritoneum everywhere smooth and shiny. On opening the chest cartilages are slightly calcified. Diaphragm at the level of the 4th rib right, 4th space on the left.
LUNGS: Lie in the posterior portion of pleural cavities which contain no fluid. Anteriorly, lungs slightly emphysematous; posteriorly somewhat atelectatic and also lumpy in consistency with many small punctate hemorrhages in the pleura over the collapsed lumpy portions of the lung posteriorly.
Bronchi deeply congested and also covered with patchy fibrinopurulent membrane. Lungs heavy for their size - left one, 750 grams - right one, 700 grams. On section, parenchyma dark red in color; markedly diminished aeration with a patchy broncho-pneumonia very evidence on the cut surface especially in the depednent portions. Lower lobes - pneumonic areas gray in color somewhat raised. All of the lobes appear to be involved in this bronchopneumonic process.
HEART: Lies free in the pericardial sac; increased fat over anterior surface of pericardium and also in the superior media stinum. Heart weighs 330 grams. Chambers contain dark red fluid and soft clotted blood, also some chicken fat clot. Valves on the right side flexible and natural. Fossa ovalis closed. Some atheroma in the anterior leaflet of mitral valve. Aortic valve cusps normal.
Proximal segment of left anterior descending coronary artery shows considerable sclerosis with calcification and narrowing of the lumen to about 50% of its original size. Right coronary shows only slight atheromatous change. Myocardium flabby; uniformly light brown in color. Aorta throughout its length fairly smooth and elastic.
NECK ORGANS: Larynx removed. Air passages not obstructed. There is considerable reddening with irritation of mucous membrane upper part of trachea extending down from vocal cords. Thyroid dull red in color.
G.I. TRACT: Esophagus - several fine varices in the lower part of the esophagus.
Stomach dilated; mucous membrane bile-stained; contents consist of some green turbid fluid about 1 liter with small particles of food in it; mucous membrane soft and slimy; no evidence of ulceration made out.
Duodenum is grossly normal.
Small Intestine contains light yellowish green liquid content, turbid, in considerable amounts farther long more mushy, fecal in character.
Appendix present.
Large Bowel contains mushy greenish brown feces; abundant excess pericolic fat.
LIVER: Smooth, light yellowish brown in color; weighs 2,400 grams; on section, color is similar; markings regular; consistency somewhat firmer than normal; fairly evident fatty infiltration.
Gall Bladder: Contains about 20 c.c. of thin green turbid bile.
SPLEEN: Moderately enlarged; weighs 260 grams; smooth; pulp soft, dark red in color.
PANCREAS: Shows considerable fatty infiltration, surrounded and concealed by fat; on section, lobulations are fairly well preserved; no evidence of fat necrosis or old pancreatitis but considerable fat between the lobules.
ADRENALS: Show well differentiated cortex and medulla.
KIDNEYS: Normal in size; light brown in color; together, 350 grams; marking somewhat indistinct. Pelves and ureters natural.
URINARY BLADDER: Empty; mucosa shows several hemorrhages in the region of fundus evidently associated with catheretization.
PROSTATE, SEMINAL VESICLES, TESTICLES: Grossly normal.
No injuries of SPINE, RIBS, BONES of EXTREMITIES.
Note: There is a transverse tracheotomy - enters the upper part of trachea.
ANATOMICAL DIAGNOSIS: Enlarged fatty liver:
Fatty kidneys:
Pial edema:
Pulmonary congestion, atelectasis:
Extensive hypostatic
bronchopneumonia, bilaterals
Tracheotomy:
Acute tracheobronchitis:
In too long for alcohol studies:
Portion of brain and liver taken for chemical examination (#2396).
CAUSE OF DEATH: PIAL EDEMA:
FATTY LIVER:
HYPOSTATIC BRONCHOPNEUMONIA.
IDENTIFICATION:
Body of deceased identified to Miss L. Hirsch, stenographer, at the City Mortuary, about 4:15pm, Nov. 10, 1953 by:
JAMES LAUGHLIN, FRIEND 20 YEARS, 333 SIXTH AVE., N.Y.C.
Classify as
Acute and Chronic Ethylism
Hypostatic Bronchpneumonia
M.H.